'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Robert Downey Jr. has re-entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the villain Doctor Doom. The actor's new role was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 during a Marvel panel. Downey Jr. will star as the Fantastic Four villain in Avengers: Doomsday, slated to release in 2026.
Downey Jr. announced his return to the franchise in an Instagram post after his Comic-Con appearance. He captioned the post by implying that even though he would be donning a new mask, he would still become an integral part of the film franchise once more.
"New mask, same task," he wrote in the caption.
Trending
The Russo brothers, who will direct the upcoming installment, commented on the post:
"We've always said green is your color..."
This will be the actor's second role in the MCU. He previously portrayed the iconic character of Tony Stark / Iron Man, one of the original six Avengers. The character was introduced in 2008, kicking off the world of Marvel Comics-based films.
Apart from his role as an Avenger, Robert Downey Jr. made an impact in Hollywood films and is a well-known global personality. Most recently, he was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer.
Robert Downey Jr. returns for Avengers: Doomsday in a different role
The decision to cast the same actor who played Iron Man as Doctor Doom is a hint towards the Fantastic Four comics. In one of the comics' storylines, Tony Stark becomes Doom after the villain switches brains with the billionaire.
It remains to be seen whether the films will use this storyline or find another way to introduce the character.
What role did the actor play in the MCU?
Currently, Robert Downey Jr. will portray the role of villain Doctor Doom in the MCU. He is expected to be the main antagonist in Avengers: Doomsday. Originally a Fantastic Four villain, Doom will be the main focus of the multiverse war going on in the Marvel universe.
However, Downey Jr. has been a part of the franchise long before this role. He was essentially the first hero to be introduced by Marvel on screen in the 2008 film Iron Man. The actor played the role of Tony Stark, a weapons dealer and billionaire who builds a weaponized suit and reinvents himself as Iron Man, to do good for the world.
Eventually, Tony gets recruited by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) as part of the Avengers Initiative. He is one of the six original Avengers, aside from Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
It will certainly be interesting to see how Robert Downey Jr. makes the transition from being one of the most celebrated heroes to a villain in the story.
The most recent Marvel project is Deadpool & Wolverine, currently out in theatres globally.
