Yep, Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) is officially returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as revealed at Marvel Studios’ 2024 Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, but not as Iron Man… as Doctor Doom!
RDJ is now set to star as Doctor Doom in “Avengers 5”, which has now officially been retitled to Avengers: Doomsday.
The movie will also be directed by Anthony and Joseph Russo aka The Russo Brothers, the two who helmed Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel Endgame as well as Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The two directors have often been credited as the best MCU directors of all time.
The Iron Man star surprised the Hall H panel attendees by walking to the front of the stage, with the Doctor Doom mask on, and quickly prying it off to reveal who was inside.
You can watch the reveal and crown eruption above via the CoveredGeekly x (Twitter) page.
In addition to Avengers: Doomsday, The Russo Brothers were also confirmed to be directing its sequel Secret Wars which is slated to release one year after in 2027.
Rumours of RDJ playing Doctor Doom had been circulating the internet ahead of the San Diego Comic-Con panel, with it now being confirmed to be happening.
He is expected to be starring as Doctor Doom in both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
“New mask, same task,” Robert Downey Jr. teased on stage.
“What can I tell ya, I like playing complicated characters,” he also said.
Avengers: Doomsday will be the Iron Man star’s 11th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe unless he appears in an earlier instalment such as The Fantastic Four in 2025.
Once he’s done as Doom, he’ll have at least a dozen MCU movies credited to his name.
“NO WAY THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE,” one fan said on X.
“The goat is back,” another said.
Although RDJ is considered to be the fan-favourite MCU actor, the instant response to his next role in the franchise was met with a mixed and anxious response.
Many expected him to return as a variant of Iron Man, while also hoping for actor Cillian Murphy to take the role of Victor von Doom in the MCU.
Although RDJ has the role, his Doom may not be the only Doom set to appear.
Only time will tell!
Avengers: Doomsday aka “Avengers 5” comes to theatres in May 2026.
