Robert Downey Jr. Returns to Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom

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At San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday night, Marvel Studios figuratively blew the roof off the famous Hall H by literally unveiling Robert Downey Jr. in announcing his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But Downey Jr. will not be returning to play Tony Stark/Iron Man, who was killed in Avengers: Endgame. Instead, the Oscar winner will portray Dr. Victor Von Doom — one of Marvel Comics’ original villains, Dr. Doom.

Studio chief Kevin Feige initially announced that “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame” directors Joe and Anthony Russo would also be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for two upcoming films, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Feige was surrounded by rows of characters wearing green capes and Doom’s iconic metal mask.

Then Joe Russo said, “As a testament to Marvel’s limitless potential, [Multiverse]We present to you the only person who can play the role of Victor Von Doom.

At this point, a figure in a green suit appeared, dramatically walked to the front of the stage and removed his silver mask, revealing Downey Jr.’s face – to a thunderous response from the audience.

“New mask, same mission,” Downey Jr. said, referring to the difference between Iron Man’s face mask and Doom’s. “I tell you what, I love playing complex characters,” he added.

The Oppenheimer star has reportedly hinted that he’s reconsidering a return to Marvel, having appeared as Stark 10 times since 2008’s Iron Man. For his part, Kevin Feige insisted to Vanity Fair that they could never “magically undo” Stark’s sacrifice in Endgame — and the multiverse would apparently provide a way to bring back Downey Jr. without doing so.

Downey Jr. later posted a photo of himself face-to-face with the mask, captioned, “New mask, same mission,” to which his Avengers co-star Mark Ruffalo, also known as the Hulk, commented: “Green suits you.”

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