In an exciting turn of events, Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – but not in the way fans might expect. Instead of reprising his iconic role as Iron Man, Downey Jr. will be stepping into the villainous shoes of Doctor Doom in the upcoming film, “Avengers: Doomsday.”
This groundbreaking announcement was made during the Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con, where Downey Jr. made a surprise appearance on stage in Hall H, the event’s largest venue. According to footage shared from the event, Downey Jr. declared, “New mask, same task,” showcasing his enthusiasm for playing complex characters. He added, “What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters.”
“Avengers: Doomsday” is slated for release on May 2026, as confirmed by Marvel’s press release. The film will be directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, who are well-known for their previous Marvel successes, including “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” The Russo brothers are also set to helm the highly anticipated “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which will hit theaters in May 2027.
Joe Russo praised Downey Jr.’s casting, stating that his return to the MCU is a testament to the “unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel Multiverse.” Russo emphasized that Downey Jr. is “the one person who could play Victor Von Doom,” highlighting his unique suitability for the role.
Downey Jr. has previously expressed a willingness to return to the MCU, noting in an April interview with Esquire that the MCU is “too integral a part of my DNA.” He first introduced audiences to Iron Man in the 2008 film of the same name, which was followed by two sequels. His portrayal of Iron Man also featured prominently in Marvel’s ensemble films, including “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Notably, his character met his end in the 2019 blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame.”
As Marvel Studios is known for its secretive nature regarding future projects, there are many questions about how Downey Jr.’s dual role will be managed within the expansive Marvel Multiverse. The studio has previously surprised fans with clever returns and alternate universe storylines, such as in “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
“Avengers: Doomsday” will replace the previously scheduled “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” in the MCU’s release calendar. Jonathan Majors was initially set to lead “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” in 2026 but was dropped by the studio following his conviction for assault and harassment in 2023. Marvel Studios has since confirmed that they will not be pursuing any future projects with Majors.
This development has added a new layer of excitement and intrigue to the MCU’s future, with fans eagerly anticipating how the introduction of Doctor Doom will impact the unfolding Marvel saga.
*Contributors to this story include Nicki Brown and Elizabeth Wagmeister.*
