Robert Downey Jr. is making a comeback to the Marvel universe, starring in two new Avengers movies. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced the exciting news at San Diego Comic-Con, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Feige also confirmed that the Russo brothers would direct the next Avengers film.
The upcoming films are Avengers: Doomsday, set to premiere in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, expected in May 2027.
During the panel, Joe Russo shared his thoughts on bringing Doctor Doom to the screen: “He is one of the most complex and entertaining characters in all of fiction. If we’re going to do this, we need the greatest actor in the world.” He then introduced Robert Downey Jr. as the perfect choice to play Victor von Doom.
Downey, who starred as Iron Man in 2008 and reprised his role as Tony Stark in 10 Marvel films, will now take on the role of a villain from the Fantastic Four universe. “Same mask, new task,” Downey told the audience at Comic-Con.
Two years ago, Feige announced a new direction for Avengers 5, planning for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, with Jonathan Majors set to play Kang. However, in December, Majors was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend. The jury found him guilty of second-degree harassment and third-degree misdemeanor assault. Minutes after the verdict, he was removed from the project.
The Russo brothers have had great success with Marvel films. They directed 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, the second biggest-selling film of all time. They also directed 2014’s Captain America: Winter Soldier, 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War.
Downey has also had a big year. He won his first Oscar for his role as United States Secretary of Commerce Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, earning Best Supporting Actor in March. He also got an Emmy nomination for his role in HBO’s The Sympathizer.
