Robert Downey Jr. is making a highly anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this time he won’t be reprising his iconic role as Iron Man. Instead, he is set to portray the formidable Marvel villain Doctor Doom in the upcoming film “Avengers: Doomsday.” This movie will serve as a precursor to “Avengers: Secret Wars,” both of which will be directed by the Russo Brothers, who previously worked with Downey on several Marvel blockbusters.
The details surrounding Downey’s character remain somewhat ambiguous. It is unclear whether he will be playing a variant of Tony Stark who has transformed into Doctor Doom within the multiverse or if he will embody the original Victor von Doom from the comics. However, one person who seems taken aback by this development is Gwyneth Paltrow, Downey’s long-time co-star.
In response to Downey’s Instagram announcement about his new role, Paltrow expressed her surprise with a playful comment: “I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?” This light-hearted inquiry reflects the close friendship that has developed between the two actors over the years.
Paltrow and Downey first shared the screen in 2008’s “Iron Man,” which marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their chemistry as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts led to their appearances in two additional standalone “Iron Man” films, as well as several other Marvel projects, including “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
The last time audiences saw both actors in the Marvel franchise was in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” a film that notably concluded with the death of Downey’s character, Iron Man. During a previous Q&A session on Instagram, Paltrow hinted that her journey with Marvel might be over, stating, “Why do you need Pepper Potts without Iron Man?”
With Downey’s return to the franchise, fans are left wondering if there might be a possibility for Paltrow to reprise her role as well. However, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has previously emphasized the importance of honoring Iron Man’s death in “Avengers: Endgame.” He stated, “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Paltrow’s potential return, Downey has been vocal about his enthusiasm for rejoining the Marvel universe. In an interview with Esquire magazine following his Oscar win for “Oppenheimer,” he was asked if he would consider returning to the MCU. Without hesitation, he affirmed his willingness, saying, “Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA. That role chose me.”
Downey also expressed his unwavering faith in Marvel’s creative direction, remarking, “Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.”
“Avengers: Doomsday” is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, followed closely by “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which is set for release on May 7, 2027. As fans eagerly await these new installments, the excitement surrounding Downey’s transformation into Doctor Doom continues to grow, leaving many to speculate about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the potential for familiar faces to return.
Source: Variety
