Robert Downey Jr. to return as Doctor Doom in two ‘Avengers’ films

Robert Downey Jr. Surprises Fans at San Diego Comic-Con

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

In a stunning surprise, Marvel Studios has revealed that its most famous star will be coming out of retirement from the Marvel Cinematic Universe for two years. The Avengers films.

Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the popular film series as classic villain Doctor Doom in the new film titled Avengers: Judgment Dayis scheduled to be released in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret WarsThe film will be released in May 2027. Kevin Feige has also officially confirmed that the Russo brothers will direct the next two films. The Avengers films.

Downey became one of the biggest movie stars in the world after launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008. Iron ManHis work helped propel the Marvel Cinematic Universe to become the highest-grossing film franchise of all time — and he earned a handsome bonus, taking home $50 million in the process. Downey retired from the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2019 Avengers: Endgameas his character died while saving the universe. It was difficult for Marvel to find a hero to fill the huge void left by Downey, which gave Saturday’s announcement even more meaning.

“New mask, same mission,” Downey told the audience from the stage.

Downey was unveiled in a near-religious ceremony as about twenty men dressed in olive drab robes and wearing metal masks resembling Doctor Doom walked onto the stage, joining Feige and the Russo brothers. “If we’re going to bring Doctor Doom to the screen — he’s one of the most complex and entertaining characters in all of fiction,” said Joe Russo. “If we’re going to do this … we’re going to need the greatest actor in the world.”

The audience, fully prepared for the previous hour of Marvel Hall H madness, was on the edge of their seats. He continued: “As a testament to the unimaginable potential of the Marvel Universe, we present to you the only person who can play Victor von Doom…”

Then a masked man in a green suit stepped forward and took off his mask: Downey, proud, ready to be praised. And it was instantaneous, as the 6,500-plus audience lost what was left of their minds.

Moments ago, the Russo brothers were introduced as directors of these new companies. The Avengers The films they will also produce and direct.

“That four-movie series was amazing,” Anthony Russo said after a montage of their films was shown on screen. “It left us really exhausted, with all our emotions on the ground. Since then, through a very special story, Joe and I have come to see a possible way forward with all of you.” Joe Russo picked up where his brother left off, adding: “It’s the biggest story Marvel Comics has ever told, it’s the first comic book series I read as a kid that made me fall in love with comics. That’s why you and I are standing here. I think you all know the name of it.” Avengers: Secret Wars The title was displayed on the big screen.

Stephen McFeely, who co-wrote the Russo brothers’ Marvel films with Christopher Markus, will write the new film. The Avengers Movies. The Russo family has long maintained that Secret Wars —which was the title of a series of Marvel comics released in the 1980s—was their dream project. Secret Warsan extremely powerful being known as The Beyonder, transported Marvel’s heroes and villains to a planet called Battle World, where they were forced to fight.

The news represents a creative shift for the new title. Avengers: Judgment Daywhich will come before Secret Wars It works as Avengers 5..Fiji announced something different Avengers 5 2 years ago in Hall H Avengers: Kang DynastyJonathan Majors was set to star as the time-traveling villain Kang, but in December, a New York jury convicted Majors of sexually assaulting and assaulting his ex-girlfriend, prompting Marvel to cut ties with the actor and necessitating a major overhaul of the film.

The move comes amid a record-breaking opening weekend for Deadpool and Wolverinewhich would easily become the highest opening ever for an R-rated film, and added a renewed sense of energy to the MCU.

The return of the Russo brothers is also noteworthy. They have had record-breaking success with Avengers: Endgame (2019), which topped the charts for a while. symbol picture As the biggest movie ever made, they also directed it. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). In the years since, they have taken over streaming features such as Cherry And The gray manbut they are beloved by the public for their work in Marvel.

the The Avengers The franchise is the crown jewel of Marvel Studios, which has built its reputation by achieving what many thought was impossible when it brought together heroes Iron Man, captain America And bull Films by a team that achieved great success in 2012.

Downey comes off a stellar career that saw him win his first Oscar earlier this year for his role in Christopher Nolan’s Lewis Strauss. Oppenheimer. The actor also recently received an Emmy nomination for the HBO series sympathetic.