Robert Downey Jr. will make a comeback to the Marvel film franchise as the iconic Fantastic Four antagonist Doctor Doom in the upcoming movies titled Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for May 2027. Kevin Feige has also officially announced that the Russo brothers will direct these two upcoming Avengers films.
Since the Marvel Cinematic Universe rebooted with 2008’s Iron Man, Downey worked hard to become one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Now, the MCU is the highest-grossing film franchise in history, and he made a whopping $50 million on each of his efforts. Downey said goodbye to Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, sacrificing his character to save the universe. That makes Saturday’s announcement all the more significant because Marvel has not had an easy time trying to fill the hole Downey left.
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“On stage, Downey declared, ‘New mask, same task.'”
In a nearly religious ceremony, Downey appeared alongside approximately twenty-four men dressed in olive robes and Doctor Doom-like masks, joining Feige and the Russo Bros. Joe Russo emphasized the complexity and entertainment value of Doctor Doom, calling him one of fiction’s most compelling characters. He added, “If we’re going to bring this to the screen… then we need the world’s greatest actor.”
After an hour of Marvel Hall H excitement, the audience was at the peak of anticipation. He went on, “As evidence of the Marvel Universe’s boundless potential, we present the one individual capable of portraying Victor von Doom…”
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At that moment, a masked figure in a green suit stepped forward and revealed himself: Downey, confident and poised for acclaim. The reaction was immediate; all 6,500-plus attendees erupted into thunderous applause and excitement.
Just moments earlier, the Russos were introduced as both directors and producers of the upcoming Avengers films.
Anthony Russo reflected, “That four-movie journey was truly incredible,” as clips from their films played before the audience. “It left us emotionally drained, but in the time since, through a very special narrative, Joe and I have found a path forward with all of you.”
Joe Russo continued, “It’s the most monumental story Marvel Comics has ever told, the comic book series that captivated me as a child and sparked my love for comics. It’s the reason why Ant and I are standing here today.” The title Avengers: Secret Wars flashed on the large screen, signaling the epic adventure ahead.
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