Marvel Studios announced from San Diego Comic-Con that Robert Downey Jr. – who famously portrayed Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (‘MCU’) — is returning to the MCU in an entirely new role. Downey Jr is returning to the Marvel Universe as Victor Von Doom – aka Doctor Doom — in the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Downey’s return was revealed just moments after Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” were tapped to direct the next two superhero crossover movies in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which are expected to be released in May 2026 and May 2027, respectively. Downey shared of his return: “new mask, same task .. What can I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.”

“Doomsday” replaces “The Kang Dynasty” as the fifth “Avengers” film, and Doom will seemingly take over villain duties for Kang the Conqueror, who was previously played by Jonathan Majors. Marvel cut ties with Majors after he was found guilty on charges of assault and harassment in December.

Downey Jr. has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008’s Iron Man, and appeared in numerous films in the franchise before his character was presumably killed off in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. More recently, Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer earlier this year.

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