Robert Downey Returns To MCU Not As Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the film franchise as classic Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom for the newly titled Avengers: Doomsday, due out in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, bowing in May 2027. Kevin Feige also officially confirmed the Russo bros. will direct these next two Avengers films.

Downey became one of the biggest movie stars in the world after launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008’s Iron Man. His work helped propel the MCU to become the highest grossing film franchise of all time — and he was handsomely rewarded, earning US$ 50 million paydays in the process. Downey retired from the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, in which his character died saving the universe. It’s been a challenge for Marvel to find a protagonist to replace the large hole left by Downey, giving Saturday’s announcement all the more meaning.

"New mask, same task," Downey told the audience from the stage.

Downey was revealed in an almost religious ceremony as about two dozen olive-robed men with metal, Doctor Doom-like masks walked on stage, joining Feige and the Russo Bros. "If we’re going to bring Victor Von Doom to the screen — he is one of the more complex characters in all of comics … this is potentially one of the more entertaining characters in all of fiction," said Joe Russo. "If we’re going to do this … then we are going to need the greatest actor in the world."

The audience, already thoroughly primed over the previous hour of Marvel Hall H frenzy, was on the edge of their seats. He continued, "As proof of the unimaginable possibilities of the Marvel Universe, we give you the one person who could play Victor von Doom."

Then a masked man in a green suit stepped forward and unmasked himself: Downey, proud, ready for the adulation. Which was instantaneous, as all 6,500-plus people in the audience lost what was left of their minds.

Moments earlier, the Russos were introduced as the directors of these new Avengers films, which they will produce as well as direct.