SUMMARY

• Joe and Anthony Russo announced Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
• Marking a major departure from his iconic Tony Stark role, Robert Downey Jr.’s return has fans thrilled about the casting twist and its implications.
• Meanwhile, fans wonder how Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will react to Downey Jr.’s new villainous persona, given his previous mentor role.

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In an unexpected twist that’s sending ripples through the MCU, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. But hold onto your horses, for the Oscar winner is not going to be the beloved Tony Stark we know and mourned in Avengers: Endgame. Instead, Downey Jr. will be stepping into the formidable shoes of Doctor Doom.

This surprising casting decision is creating a buzz among the MCU fandom, wherein people are mostly excited to witness Robert Downey Jr. as a Marvel villain, in contrast to his previous role as the philanthropic playboy Tony Stark. However, amid excitement, a few fans appear to be particularly nervous regarding how Tom Holland’s Peter Parker might react to Downey Jr.’s new persona.

Robert Downey Jr. is Poised to Explore the Role of the Menacing Villain Doctor Doom

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo recently turned the tables at Marvel’s traditional Hall H panel at Comic-Con 2024 on Saturday when they announced that the Fantastic Four’s longtime nemesis, Doctor Doom, will be played by Marvel’s most beloved actor. EW later corroborated the news, announcing that it was none other than the Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr., renowned for his iconic role as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.

The outlet notified fans about the events that happened at Comic-Con 2024, where a group of people in Doom costumes took the stage, only for Robert Downey Jr. to later reveal himself to massive crowd applause. Apart from a surge in excitement and uproar among fans, this revelation further sparked a conversation about the similarities between Doom and Stark, given that they’re both rich and scientific geniuses.

New mask, same task. What can I say, I like playing complicated characters. Downey Jr. stated.

Considering how the comic series Infamous Iron Man (via Marvel Fandom) discussed the events after Civil War II (2016 comics) where Victor Von Doom took on the mantle of Iron Man after Tony Stark was in a prolonged coma, it seems Robert Downey Jr. will reverse the incident in MCU. This time the Tony Stark actor will take over the mantle of Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Fans Wonder About the Impact of Robert Downey Jr.’s New Role on Tom Holland  

Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was a cornerstone of the MCU, and his character’s death left a significant void. However, as the actor now seems to be poised to return to a new role in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it seems to mark the beginning of a fresh yet familiar energy for the MCU. More than anything, Downey Jr.’s return will finally fulfill the demands of longtime fans and Marvel enthusiasts.

This new role will not only offer Robert Downey Jr. a chance to showcase his versatility but also help reimagine him in a completely different light. Meanwhile, as the news of the Oscar winner’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom sparked excitement, it also made fans wonder about the hilarious impact it might have on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Considering how Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was a mentor to Peter Parker, fans seem to be nervous about the upcoming dynamics.

Although it’s quite clear that Robert Downey Jr. is only returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom after concluding the storyline for Tony Stark, fans still seem to wonder about the potential interactions between Spider-Man and Doctor Doom. Fans are already speculating that Peter Parker, who looked up to Tony Stark as a mentor and father figure, might find himself in either a hilarious situation, or it might affect him psychologically. In both cases, fans appear nervous about the upcoming events.

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will hit theaters in 2026 and 2027, respectively.