Robert Downey Jr.'s Exciting Return to Marvel: Now as Dr. Doom

Robert Downey Jr. is making a dramatic shift from superhero to supervillain. After captivating audiences for over a decade as Iron Man in major Hollywood hits, Downey is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Victor von Doom in two upcoming films.

At a Comic-Con event in San Diego, Downey revealed his new role, showcasing Dr. Doom’s iconic silver mask and green cloak to a thrilled audience. “New mask, same task,” Downey declared, expressing his excitement for playing complex characters.

Downey will portray Dr. Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday”, slated for release in May 2026, and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, which will hit theaters a year later.

The 59-year-old actor has a long career, starting in the 1980s with roles in both serious and comedic films. He earned Academy Award nominations for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in “Chaplin” (1992) and for his role in “Tropic Thunder” (2008). Despite past struggles with substance abuse and legal issues, Downey has seen a remarkable career resurgence.

In 2023, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer”, where he played Lewis Strauss, a political rival. However, he is best known for his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man, a character he brought to life starting with “Iron Man” in 2008 and continued through various films, including “Iron Man 2,” “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” His last appearance as Iron Man was in “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), where the character met his end.

Now, Downey is stepping into the shoes of Dr. Doom, a notorious villain from the “Fantastic Four” comic series created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. Previous portrayals of Dr. Doom include Julian McMahon in the 2005 and 2007 “Fantastic Four” films and Toby Kebbell in the 2015 reboot.

This casting announcement comes as Marvel Studios aims to recover from recent box office disappointments, notably by reintroducing popular characters like Deadpool and Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Analysts project that this film will generate around $205 million in ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada over the weekend.