At the recent San Diego Comic-Con, Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was officially confirmed, stirring significant excitement and speculation. Downey, who last appeared as Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, has been cast in a completely new role—Victor Von Doom, the formidable antagonist from the Fantastic Four universe.
The announcement followed a series of high-profile discussions and strategic meetings. Downey revealed that his return was set in motion during a pivotal meeting with his wife, Susan, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.
Feige’s suggestion to Downey initially sparked confusion. Downey recalled, “Susan and I were sitting down with Feige, and he said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me that if you were to come back…’ Susan asked, ‘Come back as what?’ We both realized over time that it was another thing that just disproves any doubt anyone could ever have about that guy, a very sophisticated creative thinker.”
Downey, intrigued by Feige’s vision, learned that the plan did not involve resurrecting his previous character, Tony Stark. Instead, Feige proposed an intriguing twist—casting Downey as Victor Von Doom, a complex villain with a storied history in Marvel comics. Downey was initially skeptical but became enthusiastic after exploring the character. “Feige brought up Victor Von Doom, and I looked into this character, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Later on, he said, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right. Let’s get that right,’” Downey explained.
The plan required final approval from Disney CEO Bob Iger. Downey met with Iger to present the concept of playing Doom. Iger’s positive response and approval paved the way for Downey’s return.
The 2024 San Diego Comic-Con saw Downey officially unveil his new role, setting the stage for his appearance in upcoming Marvel films. Downey is slated to star in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The two films are scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively. It heard that Downey’s compensation for these roles will be approximately $100 million.
Downey’s shift from hero to villain marks a significant evolution in his relationship with the MCU, promising fresh dynamics and thrilling new developments in the franchise’s future.
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