American actor Robert Downey Jr. announced onstage at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday that he will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom in the Avengers series. (Getty Images)
In a thrilling announcement at San Diego Comic-Con, Robert Downey Jr. revealed his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not as Iron Man. Instead, Downey will take on the role of the infamous villain Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in the Avengers series. This surprising news left fans in awe as Downey appeared on stage wearing Doctor Doom's mask and a green cloak, saying, "New mask, same task."
Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors for the upcoming film featuring Downey, expressed their excitement about his new role. They mentioned that his involvement is a testament to the endless possibilities within the Marvel multiverse. This revelation marked a joyous comeback for Marvel to Comic-Con's Hall H, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.
The panel began with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige celebrating the success of "Deadpool & Wolverine," which helped the MCU surpass $30 billion in box-office earnings. The film, starring Ryan Reynolds, broke records during its opening weekend. Feige then shared Marvel's future plans, announcing that Harrison Ford would join the next Captain America film. He also revealed the titles of the upcoming Avengers movies: "Secret Wars" and "Doomsday," the latter set to be released in 2026.
Feige confirmed that all the actors introduced during the panel, including the cast of "Captain America: Brave New World," would appear in the upcoming Avengers films. The Russo brothers, who directed the blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," spoke about their emotional journey with the MCU and hinted at their excitement for the new projects. They emphasized that "Secret Wars" is the biggest story Marvel Comics has ever told, and Joe Russo shared how it was the first comic book series that made him fall in love with comics.
The event also highlighted the return of Marvel to Comic-Con after a hiatus due to Hollywood strikes. The panel featured the cast of "Captain America: Brave New World," including Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Anthony Mackie. Esposito revealed his role as the villain Sidewinder and expressed his gratitude to the fans for making his casting a reality.
Joe and Anthony Russo, seen at Comic-Con, will direct the movie starring Downey. (Getty Images)
The crowd was treated to a scene from the new Captain America movie, showing Harrison Ford's character, President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, transforming into the Red Hulk. Ford expressed his excitement about joining the Marvel universe and flexed his muscles to the delight of the audience.
The panel continued with a sneak peek of the upcoming "Thunderbolts" film, featuring stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour. The cast shared insights about their characters, and Harbour appeared in full costume, adding to the excitement.
Feige also announced the next "Fantastic Four" film, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Filming will begin soon in London, with the movie set to be released in July 2025. A special video by director Matt Shakman, showcasing the cast in '60s style, revealed the film's title: "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."
Notably absent from the session was any mention of Jonathan Majors, who previously played Kang the Conqueror. Marvel had fired him following his conviction for assault, and he was sentenced to a yearlong counselling program.
The Comic-Con panel concluded with excitement surrounding "Deadpool & Wolverine," which had already become a record-breaking hit. The film's success brought new energy to Marvel, especially after a challenging year marked by the underperformance of "The Marvels."
