When Robert Downey Jr. returned to the Marvel universe at Comic-Con, it set off extra questions than solutions. Why would Downey return to the MCU only a few years after his ultimate Marvel outing? The higher query is how. How might Downey return to the MCU if Tony Stark died in Avengers: Endgame?
On The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Downey revealed {that a} assembly between himself, his spouse, Susan, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige sparked his curiosity in a second go-around with Marvel.
“Susan [Downey] and I were sitting down with Feige at one point, and he said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me that if you were to come back,” Downey defined. “And Susan was like, ‘Wait, come back as what?’ We both realized over time that it was another thing that just disproves any doubt anyone could ever have about that guy, a very sophisticated creative thinker.”
Downey had many questions — rightfully so. Feige wasn’t all in favour of resurrecting Tony. Instead, he had a distinct plan involving Victor Von Doom, the infamous villain greatest recognized for his battles with Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four.
“How can we not go backwards? How can we not disappoint expectations? How can we continue to beat expectations?” Downey mentioned. “And he [Feige] brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked into this character, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Later on, he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right. Let’s get that right.’”
Presenting Victor Von Doom.
Robert Downey Jr. stars in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters May 2026. #SDCC pic.twitter.com/xWQx9owZjG
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 28, 2024
The comeback was practically full, however Downey and Feige wanted another stamp of approval from Disney CEO Bob Iger. Downey met at Iger’s residence and defined his intentions to play Doom. Luckily, Iger was on board and preferred the thought.
Fast ahead to the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, when Downey unmasked himself as Doom, making the return official. Downey will headline Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Downey will reportedly be paid around $100 million for two Avengers films.
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Avengers: Doomsday is dated for May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars comes out on May 7, 2027.