Robert Downey Jr. returns to Marvel as the new Doctor Doom

It looks like 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 translated into the spectacular success of "Deadpool & Wolverine." We have learned that the biggest star of Marvel is returning 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 piece stood out. 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 preserve that moment and not touch it again. We all worked very hard for many years to achieve this and would never want to undo it in any magical way." Therefore, Robert Downey Jr. will 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 parts 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 on May 1, 2026.

According to unofficial information, Robert Downey Jr. is to receive as much as $50 million for his role in just one movie, plus a specified percentage of the profits according to the agreement. Let's remember that for the first "Iron Man," the actor received $2 million, and earlier, he lost the casting for the 2005 "Fantastic Four" movie, which he wanted to play... Doctor Doom.