Robert Downey Jr is back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe... but probably not in the way you'd expect!
If for whatever reason you haven't watched Avengers: Endgame, this article will contain spoilers... though it did come out in 2019.
Downey Jr first hit screens in the MCU as Iron Man (Tony Stark) all the way back in 2008, and went on to appear in a further eight movies.
Quickly becoming a fan favorite, the actor called time on his MCU career in 2019 after Iron Man sacrificed his own life to kill Thanos and his army.
His funeral scene was incredibly tear jerking and it seemed like Downey Jr's days in the MCU were over.
Or so we thought...
Downey Jr has now revealed he is set to portray the iconic Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, expected in May 2027.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also confirmed that the Russo brothers will direct these highly anticipated films.
The announcement was made in a dramatic ceremony, where two dozen olive-robed men wearing Doctor Doom-like masks joined Feige and the Russo brothers on stage.
"If we’re going to bring Victor Von Doom to the screen — he is one of the more complex characters in all of comics… this is potentially one of the more entertaining characters in all of fiction," said Joe Russo. "If we’re going to do this… then we are going to need the greatest actor in the world."
The audience was on edge as Joe continued: "As proof of the unimaginable possibilities of the Marvel Universe, we give you the one person who could play Victor von Doom..."
A masked man in a green suit then stepped forward and revealed himself to be Downey, receiving immediate and overwhelming applause from the 6,500-plus audience members.
The Russos were earlier introduced as the directors and producers of these new Avengers films. "That four-movie run was incredible," Anthony Russo said, reflecting on their previous Marvel projects, as a montage of their films played on screen.
"And it left us really spent, with all of our emotions on the floor. In the time since, through a very special story, Joe and I have come to potentially see a road forward with you all."
Joe added: "It’s the biggest story that Marvel Comics ever told, it’s the first comic book run that I read as a kid that made me fall in love with comics. It’s the reason why Ant and I are standing up here. And I think you all know the name of it."
"New mask, same task," Downey Jr quipped to the audience from the stage.
Stephen McFeely, who co-wrote the Russos’ previous Marvel movies with Christopher Markus, will pen the new Avengers movies.
The reaction to the announcement has been mixed, with some very happy that the actor is returning.
One fan wrote on Instagram: "I’m hyped! Iron man always had this bigger plot to the story and we saw as he took the stones into his power for that brief moment he truly was capable of doing the most! Stan Lee talked about this story line prior and there’s references in comics about it!"
"Today has been good day for us nerds," another remarked.
However, the decision to bring Downey Jr back as a new character isn't sitting well with others.
"Horrible casting. Doom is one of the premier marvel villains, to sideline a mainstream doom for a variant doom is absolutely absurd," one fan said.
Antoher added: "I love RDJ, but I don’t want him as Doom. I don’t know who could portray him, but RDJ will always be Iron Man to me."
Whatever your thoughts, having Downey Jr back with the Russo Brothers is a mixture that has worked very well before!