Robert Downey Jr. Returns as Doctor Doom in Russo Brothers' Next Avengers Blockbusters

Photo credit:  JESSE GRANT/GETTY IMAGES FOR DISNEY

In true Marvel Studios fashion, their Comic-Con presentation on Saturday astonished the audience. The Russo brothers affirmed they would direct the next two Avengers films and dramatically revealed Robert Downey Jr. on stage as Doctor Doom.

While it was previously leaked that Anthony and Joe Russo would return to direct after their successes with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the unveiling of the main antagonist for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 2027) was a stimulating surprise.

During the presentation in Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center, a masked figure in green, escorted by actors modelling Doctor Doom masks and cloaks, assumed the stage. The assemblage went wild when Robert Downey Jr. dramatically removed his mask and raised his arms triumphantly.

Downey Jr., who won this year’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Oppenheimer, was last seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Tony Stark/Iron Man, who died in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Now, he is set to return as Victor von Doom as Marvel pivots away from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This change follows the dismissal of Jonathan Majors, originally set to play Kang, after his conviction for reckless assault and harassment.

The Avengers segment concluded a vibrant panel that revealed the full title of the July 25, 2025, release The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and director Matt Shakman were present. Production for this film will begin on Tuesday, July 30, at Pinewood Studios in the UK.

By Steven Cuoco