Robert Downey Jr. To Officially Return To The MCU As Doctor Doom

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will see the return of Robert Downey Jr., but not as the beloved Iron Man. This time, he will step into the shoes of the iconic supervillain Doctor Doom. The exciting news was unveiled by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 27, 2024.

Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars

Downey Jr. will portray Victor von Doom, the longtime nemesis of the Fantastic Four, in two upcoming Avengers movies: Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers and set for release in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for May 2027.

Marvel Studios quickly shared the news on social media, posting, “The Russo Brothers return to direct Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Only in theaters May 2026. #SDCC.”

A New Chapter for Downey Jr. in the MCU

“Same mask, new task,” Downey Jr. quipped to the audience, signaling his shift from superhero to supervillain. This role marks a significant transformation for the actor, who first joined the MCU as Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2008 and appeared in ten films, including:

• Iron Man 2
• Iron Man 3
• The Incredible Hulk
• The Avengers
• Captain America: Civil War
• Avengers: Age of Ultron
• Spider-Man: Homecoming
• Avengers: Infinity War
• Avengers: Endgame

His last appearance was in Avengers: Endgame (2019), where his character sacrificed himself to save the universe from Thanos.

Downey Jr.'s Return: A Surprising Comeback

In an April 2024 interview with Esquire Magazine, Downey Jr. hinted at his willingness to return to the MCU. “Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA,” he said, reflecting on his connection to the role of Tony Stark. “That role chose me. And look, I always say, ‘Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige.’ It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.”

Changes in the Avengers Lineup

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday was originally titled The Kang Dynasty. However, the studio renamed it following the firing of Jonathan Majors from the MCU due to his domestic violence trial and conviction.

Conclusion

Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom promises to bring a fresh and thrilling dynamic to the franchise. Fans can look forward to seeing his portrayal of the infamous villain in the upcoming Avengers films. Stay tuned for more updates on Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

News Source:- forbes.com