DYK Robert Downey Jr's Return To MCU As Doctor Doom Was Planned A Year Ago?

After spending over a decade bringing Tony Stark/Iron Man to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. is set to rejoin the Marvel fold. He has been cast as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars films. Additionally, he’s reportedly returning as Iron Man for a new attraction at Disneyland’s Avengers Campus. In a recent interview, Downey shared how these dual returns to Marvel came about, highlighting the key roles played by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger.

“Probably a year ago, because Feige and I have kept in touch,” Downey explained on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, recently.

“We’re pals. I’m close with the Russo brothers. We have other business we’re doing. So there’s this little group of fellow travelers, and I had this instinct that I wanted to go to Bob Iger. And I had an idea, outside of the cinematic universe, for how I could be of service to what’s going on in the parks and all their location-based energy. And Susan and I were sitting down with Feige at one point, and he said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me that, if you were to come back…’ And Susan was like, ‘Wait, wait, come back as what?’ And then we both realized, over time, that it was another thing that just disproves any doubt anyone could ever have about that guy. And he brought up Victor von Doom, and I looked into the character, and I was like Wow,” he added.

Continuing his story, Downey shared that he had visited Bob’s house, which he admitted he couldn’t quite describe. He added that the experience was one of many memorable moments. For him, it was the only way he felt he could offer a certain entertainment-seeking audience something they might be craving, while also allowing him to further explore his own interests in the future of entertainment.

“So it’s this crazy, weird thing that’s going on, and if that all goes, we’ll just remake what many people say is the greatest film of all time,” Downey added.

Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars tentatively scheduled for release on May 7, 2027.