Robert Downey Jr. To Return To Marvel As Doctor Doom
In a stunning reveal at San Diego Comic-Con, Robert Downey Jr. announced his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not as Iron Man. Instead, Downey Jr. will take on the role of the iconic villain Doctor Doom.
The announcement came during the Hall H panel, where Downey Jr. stepped from a crowd of hooded and masked figures and removed his mask, surprising fans and sparking excitement. "I like playing complicated characters," he said as the crowd chanted his name.
Downey Jr. will star as Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday," set to be released in May 2026, and will reprise the role in "Avengers: Secret Wars" a year later. The Russo Brothers, known for directing "Avengers: Endgame," will return to direct these films. They believe that despite Downey Jr.'s "new mask," their goal remains to "create the greatest possible experience" for moviegoers.
Harrison Ford to replace the late William Hurt as General Ross in Captain America: Brave New World
The Comic-Con panel was filled with other exciting announcements and surprise appearances. Harrison Ford, who will replace the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in "Captain America: Brave New World," joined the stage and humorously "hulked out," chasing co-star Anthony Mackie around.
Comic-Con treated to Deadpool Choir
Fans were also treated to a boisterous "Deadpool choir," inspired by the record-breaking film "Deadpool & Wolverine." Marvel president Kevin Feige announced that the film had set the box office record for the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, with U.S. and Canadian sales expected to hit between $175 million and $185 million by Sunday.
Florence Pugh to star in Thunderbolts
David Harbour, in costume as Alexei Shostakov from "Black Widow," addressed the cast of "Thunderbolts," complaining about being ignored when he suggested they all dress up for the film. The "Thunderbolts" movie will focus on a team of Marvel anti-heroes, with Florence Pugh taking on a leading role.
Pedro Pascal set to make his Marvel debut
The upcoming "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," directed by "WandaVision" director Matt Shakman, will feature Pedro Pascal making his Marvel debut and will introduce Galactus as the main antagonist. This addition to the MCU is highly anticipated by fans.
“New mask, same task”
Downey Jr.'s return to Marvel marks a significant moment for the franchise, which has generated over $30 billion in box office takings but has seen profits slow in recent years. However, the success of "Deadpool & Wolverine" offers hope for a potential revival.
Reflecting on his journey with Marvel, Downey Jr. said, "New mask, same task." His last appearance as Iron Man was in 2019's "Avengers: Endgame," and since then, he has continued to find success, including winning an Oscar for his role in "Oppenheimer."
