Robert Downey Jr has returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom for the newly titled Avengers: Doomsday, which will release in May 2026. He will also star as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Actor Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) not as Iron Man, but as the supervillain Doctor Doom. This unexpected casting news was announced by MCU President Kevin Feige during San Diego’s Comic-Con on Saturday. The announcement has left fans feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. Along with this news, Feige also revealed that the Russo Brothers, known for directing ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame,’ will return to direct two new Avengers sequels: ‘Secret Wars’ and ‘Doomsday.’ Downey’s portrayal of Doctor Doom will debut in ‘Doomsday.’
Downey Jr. won the hearts of many with his iconic role as Iron Man, a character that died in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ His new role as Victor Von Doom, a significant villain in the Marvel universe, has sparked various reactions on social media. Some fans feel that bringing Downey Jr. back as a different character undermines the impact of his previous role, while others argue that the multiverse concept in the MCU allows for such creative changes.
One social media user expressed confusion, noting that the return of both Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine feels odd, as it seems to devalue their original characters’ story arcs. Another user pointed out that the multiverse narrative allows for different versions of characters to exist simultaneously, suggesting that Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom can be portrayed by the same actor without conflict.
