Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Victor Von Doom in a new Avengers film titled Avengers: Doomsday, which will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo in their own return to Marvel. The directing duo is set to direct two new Avengers films: Doomsday, which will introduce Victor Von Doom, and Avengers: Secret Wars.
While Downey has said in recent interviews that he’s open to returning to Marvel, fans naturally assumed that meant he’d be back as Iron Man/Tony Stark. Downey’s return as villain Victor Von Doom came as a huge shock to Marvel fans, including the jubilant crowd at Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con presentation. Downey made a triumphant appearance at Hall H on Saturday night to reveal his return.
Downey made his debut as Stark, the super-genius, in 2008's Iron Man, the first installment in the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe created by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Over the next 11 years, Downey reprised the role in 10 Marvel films, including Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
“Endgame” included the death of Iron Man, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair last December that he had no desire to interfere with Downey’s emotional exit.
“We're going to treasure that moment and never touch it again,” Feige said at the time of Iron Man's death. “We've all worked so hard for so many years to get there, and we're never going to want to take that back in any way.”
Downey is now returning to Marvel, but not as Iron Man. The actor has been quite vocal this year about his interest in returning to the franchise. Speaking to Esquire after winning an Oscar for “Oppenheimer,” the actor was asked if he would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that he was officially an Oscar winner. The actor didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“Luckily, it’s part of my DNA,” Downey said. “This role chose me. I always say, ‘Never bet against Kevin Feige.’ He’s a losing bet. He’s the home run. He’ll always win.”
Victor von Doom news continues in a huge year for the actor. His performance as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in March. Most recently, Downey appeared in the cast of Park Chan-wook’s HBO miniseries “The Sympathizer,” playing CIA agent Claude and several other roles. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology.
