Robert Downey Jr. Announces Shock Marvel Return at Comic-Con

AFP/APP

San Diego: Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr. stunned fans by announcing his return to the Marvel superhero films during a high-profile Disney presentation at Comic-Con on Saturday.

This move comes as Marvel aims to revitalize its record-breaking movie franchise, which has amassed an unprecedented $30 billion at the box office but has faced several recent high-profile flops.

Marvel film president Kevin Feige revealed new details about upcoming superhero movies to an enthusiastic crowd at the San Diego gathering. The biggest reaction was reserved for Downey Jr., who will make a comeback as a new character—Doctor Doom, a significant villain in the Marvel comics. Downey Jr. initially appeared on stage among hooded and masked figures before revealing his much-rumored return.

“New mask. Same task. What’d I tell you? I like playing complicated characters,” Downey Jr. said, much to the delight of Marvel fans. He won an Oscar this year for his role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and had seemingly retired from Marvel films in 2019.

The presentation was the most anticipated event of the four-day pop culture extravaganza, with fans queuing for hours for a coveted seat. Marvel enthusiasts have recently criticized the franchise for convoluted plotlines and the departure of beloved characters, including Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. 

There had been calls for a reboot of the movies. The franchise was further shaken by domestic violence allegations against actor Jonathan Majors, who was set to become a major new supervillain. Majors, who was convicted of assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend, has been dropped by Marvel.

Downey Jr.’s return as a villain may address this gap. Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors behind 2019’s Avengers: Endgame—which briefly held the title of the highest-grossing film of all time—will also return to direct Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 2027).

The Marvel event kicked off with a vibrant performance featuring singers and dancers dressed in the red and yellow of Deadpool & Wolverine, a new R-rated superhero movie enjoying a record-breaking opening this weekend.

Feige teased Marvel’s plans for the next three years, with three films scheduled for next year, including February’s Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, a U.S. president who transforms into Red Hulk.

In 2025, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts (May) starring Florence Pugh and The Fantastic 4: First Steps (July) starring Pedro Pascal and set in 1960s New York.

Earlier on Saturday, Disney’s rival studio Warner, which oversees DC superhero movies, offered a preview of The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell. Spun off from the 2022 film The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, The Penguin will premiere on HBO on September 19.