Marvel's iconic hero returns: Robert Downey Jr. to play Doctor Doom

It seems that Marvel's executives have found a way for comic book adaptations to emerge from the crisis and enjoy immense popularity again. They first turned to Wolverine, Elektra, and Blade, which resulted in the spectacular success of "Deadpool & Wolverine." We have learned that Marvel's biggest star will return to the comic universe – Robert Downey Jr.

During this year's Comic-Con in San Diego, Marvel bombarded fans with numerous information from the comic world. However, only one mattered. It concerned the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Does this mean we will see Tony Stark and Iron Man on screen again? Perhaps, in a certain sense. Maybe not Iron Man, but Stark, yes.

Marvel's boss, Kevin Feige, said of Iron Man's death: "We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again. We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way."

Robert Downey Jr. will, therefore, take on another role—Doctor Doom, a formidable antagonist of superheroes mainly known from the Fantastic Four comics.

Fans are already starting to weave various theories. After all, Doctor Doom is Victor Von Doom, a scientific genius with superhuman power driven by technology. In one of the many alternate dimensions and parallel worlds that make up the Marvel universe, it could be Tony Stark who becomes Doctor Doom and the arch-enemy of superheroes.

Robert Downey Jr. is set to appear in the fifth and sixth instalments of "Avengers." During the presentation of Doctor Doom at Comic-Con, fans learned that the fifth part of the series has been renamed "Avengers: Doomsday." The sixth still holds the title "Avengers: Secret Wars." The "Avengers: Doomsday" premiere is scheduled for 1 May 2026, Greenwich Time.

According to unofficial information, Robert Downey Jr. is to receive as much as €47 million for his role in just one film plus a specified percentage of the profits according to the agreement. Let's remember that for the first "Iron Man", the actor received €1.89 million, and earlier, he lost the casting for the 2005 "Fantastic Four" film, which he wanted to play... Doctor Doom.