Irres MCU Comeback: “Iron Man” Star Robert Downey Jr. Returns in a New Marvel Role
Andreas Rivera
July 28, 2024 2:00 pm
.
3 min read
It’s official: Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU. However, he will not reprise his role as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, but will instead play a true villain.
As Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. already exhibited some classic villain traits: arrogance and hubris, for example. The occasionally boastful and self-centered industrial magnate could easily have switched sides and succumbed to his dark side in another Marvel universe within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He even did so in the comics – as Superior Iron Man. However, the 59-year-old Hollywood star will be spared from this fate. His Iron Man remains a hero who saved the entire world, or rather Earth-616, with his ultimate sacrifice in “Avengers: Endgame.”
After prior speculation and rumors about the return of one of the most beloved stars to the MCU, Disney and Marvel Studios revealed the sensational news at San Diego Comic-Con International (via Deadline): Robert Downey Jr. is coming back! But not as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, but as Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom (!) for the upcoming “Avengers” films “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
This announcement was made personally by Joe Russo, alongside his brother Anthony and Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige, surrounded by numerous Doctor Doom cosplays:
Robert Downey Jr as Victor Von Doom for Avengers Doomsday pic.twitter.com/6kNmsN2y9h
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 28, 2024
The fan community’s jubilation likely demonstrated impressively that they were not concerned with having Iron Man back in the MCU, but rather the man who brought him to life. Additionally, this fulfills a long-held wish for Downey Jr.: he auditioned for this role in the 2005 “Fantastic Four” produced by Bernd Eichinger. The role eventually went to Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”).
Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom
The revelation of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom is the perfect masterstroke expected from Marvel Studios, yet so surprising that it leaves jaws dropping. Bringing back one of the world’s biggest Marvel stars is exactly what fans have wished for years. Establishing him as the new overarching villain is likely to give the MCU the necessary push to regain its top spot.
Recently, Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios and CCO of Marvel Entertainment, hinted in an interview that more returns could follow after Hugh Jackman’s comeback as Logan, aka Wolverine, in “Deadpool & Wolverine”:
“I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role [in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’] is a great sign that it’s feasible – if approached very carefully.”
“Avengers: Doomsday,” formerly known as “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” will be released in German cinemas on April 29, 2026, followed by “Avengers: Secret Wars” on May 5, 2027. You can watch the “Iron Man” trilogy with Robert Downey Jr., which made him a superstar, on the streaming service Disney+.
You might also like
