Robert Downey Jr. Returns to the MCU as Doctor Doom

Good, that is a shocker: Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to play Victor Von Doom in Avengers: Doomsdaythe next Avengers film. The Russo brothers made the announcement at Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel on Saturday night, shortly after they were announced as the directors of both Judgement day and the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars.

Downey Jr. walked out on stage in a Doom costume, complete with mask, for a dramatic reveal. Marvel Studios’ Instagram account posted the actual moment of the reveal and the fan reaction that followed:

“New mask,” Downey Jr. said. “Same job.”

Oscar-winning Downey Jr. revived his career with his portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man and a slew of other Marvel projects. His time as Stark ended in Avengers: Endgamebecause the character died in that movie.

But a silliness like a character dying won’t stop Downey, who’s returning to play one of the richest villains (nay, characters) in all of superherodom: Doctor Doom himself.

“What can I tell you? I like playing complicated characters,” Downey Jr. said.

In November 2023, reports first surfaced that Marvel was considering moving their central villain of the Avengers saga from Kang to Doom. This followed the conviction and punishment of Kang actor Jonathan Majors for domestic abuse and assault. Marvel officially dropped Majors in December 2023.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. Secret Wars is scheduled to arrive approximately a year later, on May 7, 2027. During SDCC, Marvel Studios also announced that the new Fantastic Four, Doom’s longtime rivals, will appear in both films Judgement day And Secret Wars also.

Here you’ll find all of Polygon’s SDCC 2024 coverage, including news, trailers, and more.