Robert Downey Jr. Returns to MCU as Doctor Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

In a move that rattled the walls of Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con International and nearly broke the internet on Saturday, Marvel Studios announced that Robert Downey Jr. – who kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008 with Iron Man – will be returning to the MCU donning an altogether difference metal mask as legendary villain Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026.

“New mask, same task,” Downey said after taking the stage to an approving roar in a Marvel Studios panel that gave fans a glimpse into the future of the MCU, which included the reveal that Anthony and Joe Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame) will be returning to helm the next two Avengers films: the aforementioned Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which will hit screens May 2027.

The reveal effectively erases Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which was meant to pit Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against Kang, a villain first introduced in 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a film that received a somewhat lukewarm response from fans and critics. Offscreen, actor Jonathan Majors – who played an outcast Kang variant in that film and reprised the role in the Disney+ Loki series – was convicted on two counts of domestic assault and harassment and will not be playing the character moving forward. In lieu of a recast, Marvel Studios and its president Kevin Feige have opted to shift creative plans completely, focusing on one of Marvel’s top villains and the return of one of the primary architects of the MCU for the fifth Avengers film.

But what does it mean? Is Downey playing a Tony Stark variant that’s broken bad, or is there other multiversal madness at play? Theories are already swirling online amid both praise for the reveal and criticism that bringing back both Downey and the Russos is a desperation play considering the MCU is described by many – including Deadpool in his latest movie – as being in a “low point” right now. 

Personally, I’m confident in the Russo brothers and feel, based on his post-Endgame interviews, that Downey wouldn’t return to the MCU as Iron Man or any other character if there wasn’t a strong reason for him to do so. Now, back to Doom scrolling ...

Hall H. Marvel Studios. Enough said.

Tonight, the talent and filmmakers of Marvel Studios’ upcoming films brought excited fans a first look at what’s next for the MCU. #SDCC2024 pic.twitter.com/IZr62hJKvM

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 28, 2024

Iron Man, Wolverine, Mace Windu and James Bond Rumored for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

Patton Oswalt's Star Wars Filibuster is so close to being a real thing. Contactmusic.com reports that Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson and Daniel Craig will be appearing in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII. The kicker? They'll be under masks, apparently to avoid any contractual issues with other studios.

Another actor reportedly filming a secret cameo in the forthcoming Star Wars flick is Nick Frost, although Ed from Shaun of the Dead doesn't really fit next to the likes of 007 and Tony Stark in a headline. Still, it's cool to see so many of Hollywood's Star Wars fans getting a chance to roam around in George Lucas' galaxy far, far away.

As for Jackson's involvement, I'm hoping he reprises his role from the prequels, if only to justify my purchase of CyborgMaceWindu.com all those years ago. Who's laughing now, Internet?

Robert Downey Jr. Talks ‘Iron Man 3’ and Reuniting with Director Shane Black

For whatever reason, it’s seemingly impossible for a film studio to churn out a compelling third installment in a superhero franchise. From Superman 3 to Batman Forever to Spider-Man 3, comic book fans typically acknowledge the third installment in a previously successful series as the point at which a combination of studio meddling and creative fatigue reduces formerly compelling protagonists into broad caricatures and, in some cases, even parodies.

Keeping that unfortunate reality in mind, many fans are looking ahead to Iron Man 3 with some trepidation. After all, original director Jon Favreau left the series after the second installment, and many Marvel enthusiasts doubt that new writer/director Shane Black will be able to keep the character of Tony Stark interesting on his own after he teams up with Captain America, Thor, Hulk and the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in next summer’s The Avengers.

Speaking with the Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex blog, series star Robert Downey Jr. allayed many fans’ concerns with the future of his character and the series that kick-started the cinematic Marvel Universe back in 2008.

“My sense of it is that we need to leave it all on the field—whatever that means in the end,” Downey said of the film, due out in May 2013. “You can pick several different points of departure for that.”

Downey previously teamed with Black in 2005 for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a tongue-in-cheek take on the film noir genre. Black’s other writing credits include Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 2 and The Last Boy Scout.

“He’s more than the sum of his parts and he’s also kind of been a sleeper for a long time,” Downey said of Black. “We’re not talking much about [the script] right now because Shane is off writing and we talked before that and when we are talking again the talking is going to be over pretty quick [because we're on the same page]. It’s kind of like we’re fighting on the same side and at the same time we’re circling each other, so it’s all great. It should be great.”

For the full story, head over to Hero Complex by clicking here.

Shane Black Expected to Direct 'Iron Man 3'

Deadline.com is reporting that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black is in final negotiations with Marvel Studios to helm Iron Man 3 after franchise director Jon Favreau dropped out of project to focus his efforts on Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Black is a notable choice in that he revived Robert Downey Jr.’s career with Kiss Kiss in 2005. Three years later, the formerly-troubled actor stepped inside Tony Stark’s gold-and-crimson armor for the first time, successfully making the transition to bonafide action star.

Like many fans of this series, I was disheartened when I learned Favreau would not be coming back, as I feel he really nailed the nuances of the character in the first two films. Having said that, it will be interesting to see Black and Downey Jr. team up once again.

Iron Man 3 is slated for release on May 3, 2013—nearly one year to the day after Ol’ Shellhead teams with Captain America, Thor, Hulk and other Marvel icons in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers.

The New Iron Man 2 Trailer Drove Me Stark Raving Mad!

Yes, yes, the Academy Awards took place last night and we’re all very happy for the winners. But I think the real highlight of the night came long after Kathryn Bigelow was named best director for The Hurt Locker, beating her one-time hubby James Cameron and yet somehow resisting the urge to exclaim, “I’m the Queen of the World!” For geeks, the night’s big movie moment had nothing to do with red carpets or acceptance speeches.

I’m referring, of course, to the brand-spanking new Iron Man 2 trailer that premiered following the Oscar telecast on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., appeared on the show to debut the never-before-seen footage, and, well, wow. This movie is clearly going to be very hard to beat this summer in terms of sheer spectacle and narrative swagger.

What do we see? We see Iron Man and War Machine (Don Cheadle) tear into an army of mechanical drones. We also see more of Mickey Rourke as the villainous Whiplash. But perhaps most importantly, we see Tony armor up in his portable suit, which, like in the comics, folds out of a briefcase. It’s definitely an “oh snap” moment that I almost wish director Jon Favreau had kept under his hat until Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7, but it’s really hard for me to complain about something so trivial at at the moment. I’m smiling too hard.

Watch the trailer below (via MTV's Splash Page).

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

New Iron Man 2 Poster Features Mickey Rourke as Whiplash

And the Iron Man 2 images keep coming! Apple has debuted a pretty awesome poster featuring Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, complete with badass energy whips and, judging by the newspaper clips in the background, an unhealthy obsession with Tony Stark. I was worried about how this character would work onscreen, but it seems as though director Jon Favreau and his crew have the right idea. Rourke is going to own this role.

Iron Man 2 hits theaters May 7, but, according to Film School Rejects, a trailer for the anticipated will be attached to Sherlock Holmes, which also stars Robert Downey Jr. That film opens Christmas Day.