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During an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego recently, Marvel gave fans a bombshell: Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This time, though, he will be playing the supervillain Doctor Doom in the movies Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are planned for release in May 2026 and May 2027.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to be on the rise again, with some controversy - as it always seems to go - as news broke that Robert Downey will be back in action, attracting reactions.
This Movie is Going to Set Records!
Thousands of comments overflowed on social media sites as the newest disclosure at Comic-Con 2024 expressed excitement and disappointment from Marvel fans all around the world.
Tears of Joy and Nostalgia on Robert Downey Jr.'s return to MCU
Fans took to the news with a lot of joy and nostalgia over Downey's return. The reception accorded to Tony Stark/Iron Man, performed by Downey, is a cultural brand, where he has successfully etched an unmistakable identity. For many, it would be like reconnecting with an old friend.
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As one fan succinctly opined on Twitter, his return is "cool and wild". It helps them go down memory lane and look at their favorite hero one more time. Another fan responded with a similar level of excitement.
Mixed Reactions to New Role of Robert Downey Jr. In MCU
Not all fans are happy about the role with which Downey returns. While many have felt their hearts swell at the thought of his return, some are not so happy about his new role.
One user, PujanggaMalam, expressed their distaste with the hashtag #NotMyDoctorDoom, referring to their inability to accept Downey as any other character but Iron Man.
That's something others have brought up as well; the fact of the matter is, for many, enacting another role will mess up Downey's legacy as Tony Stark. Another fan commented, expressing doubt in terms of the lasting power and impact this new representation would have.
Another fan humourosly wrote about Robert Downey Jr. posing like a god.
Disheartened by Marvel's Plot Decisions
A fair few have been disappointed by the plot choices Marvel has made of late. Moreover, on deeper levels, the storylines continues to be complicated and always changes, especially with concepts like the TVA and the sacred timeline.
A fan tweeted in a generalized complaint about the perceived overcomplication of the MCU's plotlines, though.
They have to be frustrated by the current state of the MCU and DC movies, and the prospect of a new version of Downey possibly making the already convoluted situation even worse.
Undoubtedly, the news of Robert Downey Jr.'s comeback to Marvel has evoked every possible type of reaction, from joy and nostalgia to frustration and disappointment.
With Robert Downey Jr. back in the MCU, some are over the moon, while others are more cautious about what his new role could mean and the general direction of the storyline in the future.
The result of this move in terms of the future of the franchise and reaction from fans remains to be seen as Marvel keeps growing. One thing is for sure, Robert Downey Jr.'s return is going to be huge within the Marvel Universe, and fans are going to watch very closely to determine what happens next.
