Robert Downey Jr. is making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but not as Iron Man. Instead, he will take on the role of Doctor Doom in the upcoming movie “Avengers: Doomsday.” This surprising news was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con during the Marvel panel, where Downey Jr. made a dramatic appearance in Hall H, the event’s biggest venue. He addressed the crowd, saying, “New mask, same task,” and expressed his excitement for playing another complex character.

“Avengers: Doomsday,” set to hit theatres in May 2026, will be directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, who have a long history with the MCU. The Russo brothers are also set to direct “Avengers: Secret Wars,” scheduled for release in May 2027. Joe Russo highlighted Downey Jr.’s return as a testament to the limitless possibilities within the Marvel Multiverse, calling him the perfect choice to portray Victor Von Doom.

Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU has been long-awaited by fans. The actor has previously expressed his openness to rejoining the franchise, stating in an April interview with Esquire that he would “happily” come back because the MCU is “too integral a part of my DNA.” Downey Jr. first portrayed Iron Man in the 2008 film that launched the MCU, and his character’s death in 2019’s “Endgame” left a lasting impact on the series.

With Downey Jr. now playing Doctor Doom, fans are curious about how the MCU will handle this new development. Marvel is known for its surprises, and the vastness of the Marvel Multiverse allows for endless possibilities. The return of Downey Jr. in a completely different role adds another layer of intrigue to the MCU’s future.

“Avengers: Doomsday” will replace the previously announced “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” in the MCU release calendar. This change follows the studio’s decision to drop Jonathan Majors, who was originally set to star in “The Kang Dynasty,” after he was found guilty of assault and harassment in 2023. Marvel’s decision to move forward with “Avengers: Doomsday” reflects its ongoing efforts to reshape the future of the MCU.