Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU; will play Doctor Doom in 'Avengers 5'

On Saturday afternoon it was the turn of the panel of Marvel Studios in the San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Kevin Feige took the stage to talk about the studio's upcoming projects. Since Fantastic Fouruntil the next deliveries of the Avengers.

And of the Avengers This is precisely who we are here to talk about.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND THE RUSSO BROTHERS RETURN TO THE MCU

With the endless possibilities offered by the MCU multiverse, there has been much speculation about the possible return of actors who said goodbye to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Endgame (2019), as Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. His return would be justified when the multiverse is talked about, since, like Hugh Jackman and his return as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverineit could be said that it is a version of the character from another universe.

That is why the media has insisted on this, especially Downey Jr., winner of the Oscar this year for best supporting actor for Oppenheimer (2023), with Downey Jr. receptive to the possibility of returning to the MCU.

There were several surprises in store for Marvel Studios' presentation in Hall H at SDCC, which is taking place this week:

Los Russo Brothers –in attendance at the panel– were presented as directors of Avengers 5 y Avengers 6. The official title of the fifth film was confirmed as Avengers: Doomsday. The film is released In theaters May 2026.

The sixth Avengers, Avengers: Secret Warspremieres In theaters May 2027. Michael Waldron (Loki) will write the script for both films.

Immediately after, from the handful of people who were on stage, one of them emerged dressed in a mask. Doctor Doom. When the mask was removed it was revealed that It's all about Robert Downey Jr.! who is back in the MCU now playing the Marvel supervillain.

“Different mask, same task,” RDJ told the audience.

This officially concludes Marvel's plans for the previously titled Avengers: The Kang Dinastyafter Jonathan Majors, the actor who had played the villain Kang, was found guilty in December of misdemeanor assault and harassment of his now ex-girlfriend. The studio parted ways with the actor less than two hours after the verdict was announced, ending nearly a year of uncertainty about Majors’ future with Marvel following his arrest in March 2023.

The possible return of the Russo Brothers was mentioned in the middle of this month, when it was published in reliable media that the studio had had an approach with the brothers to direct the fifth and sixth Avengers.

The Russos have directed a total of four MCU installments, and these are four of the best-reviewed by critics and audiences in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), y Avengers: Endgame (2019). Together, these films grossed a global box office of $6.681 billion.

Doctor Doom was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character made his debut in The Fantastic Four #5 in July 1962. He is depicted as the archenemy of the Fantastic Four, and has been in conflict with the X-Men and other Marvel superheroes.