Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning To ‘Avengers’ Films As A Villain In 1 Of Marvel’s Comic-Con Twists

SAN DIEGO — Marvel Studios returned to San Diego Comic-Con with dancing Deadpool versions and a choir for a panel with news about the next two “Avengers” films as well as surprise guests like Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr.

Downey will return to Marvel’s films, but not as Iron Man. He will play the villain Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in at least one of the next “Avengers” films. Downey, who began Marvel’s film triumph with “Iron Man” and has since played the iconic role in nine films, arrived on Saturday donning Dr. Doom’s mask and a green cloak.

Downey | AP News Image

Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning To ‘Avengers’ Films As A Villain In 1 Of Marvel’s Comic-Con Twists

“New mask, same task,” Downey added, to wild shouts.

The Russo brothers, who will helm the film starring Downey, described his appearance as “proof of the unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel multi-universe.”

The unveiling capped Marvel’s triumphant return to Comic-Con’s Hall H.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige began the event by announcing that the huge Marvel Cinematic Universe had now surpassed $30 billion in box-office earnings, thanks to the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” over the weekend. A choir sang Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” before Feige spoke, evoking a scene from the film.

“Deadpool & Wolverine,” which opened Thursday, has already broken one record and likely break others in its first weekend. Feige used Saturday’s panel to map the course for the MCU, revealing Ford’s character in the next “Captain America” picture as well as the names of the next two films in the epic superhero team-up series, “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “Avengers: Doomsday.” “Doomsday” will enter theatres in 2026.

Feige confirmed that all the actors announced on Saturday would participate in the future “Avengers” films, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. The brothers led the “Avengers” franchise through its enormous storyline, culminating in “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, which featured the death of Downey’s Tony Stark/Iron Man character.

“When we directed “Avengers: Endgame,” Joe and I truly believed that it was the end of the road for us in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because we had put all of our passion, love, and imagination into “The Winter Soldier,” “Civil War,” and “Infinity War,” climaxing all of it with “Avengers: Endgame,” Anthony Russo said. “That four-picture run was wonderful, and it left us creatively exhausted, focussing all of our emotions on the film. Joe and I have come to see a way forward with you due to a really special narrative.”

They dubbed “Secret Wars” the “biggest story that Marvel Comics ever told,” and Joe claimed it was the first comic book run he read as a child that made him “fall in love with comics.”

Saturday’s session follows Marvel’s decision to boycott the convention last year due to Hollywood strikes that barred authors and performers from presenting on panels.

The actors of “Captain America: Brave New World” (Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Anthony Mackie) took the stage first and revealed details about the next film. Esposito confirmed that he will portray the villain, Seth Voelker, also known as Sidewinder.

When asked what working on a Marvel project was like, Esposito described it as a “dream come true.”

“When your dreams come true and you get the call, you walk through the door,” he said afterwards. “I have a great deal of gratitude for all the fans who really had this dream come true, because it was fan casting that linked us together.”

The ensemble then stepped aside to present a scene from the film on the big screen, revealing that President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, played by Ford, wants to reconstitute the Avengers with Mackie’s Sam Wilson. It also featured Ford’s persona transforming into the Red Hulk.

Ford attended the discussion after showing fans snippets from the film and flexing his muscles in front of a raucous audience. He also expressed excitement about his new position, adding, “I am delighted and proud to become a member of the Marvel Universe.”

The cast and director of “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” also delighted fans with a sneak peek from the film. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour (in full costume and initially speaking as the Red Guardian) stormed the stage and revealed more about their characters.

The film is set to be released in May 2025.

The final film teased at the panel was “The Fantastic Four,” which stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Feige announced that production will begin in London on Tuesday.

He stated that the film will be released in theatres in almost exactly one year, in July 2025.

Following a video directed by Matt Shakman for Comic-Con that featured the ensemble in full 1960s glory, he and Feige unveiled the film’s official title, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

The session made no mention of Jonathan Majors, who played the villain Kang the Conqueror and was previously a key member of Marvel’s “Avengers” preparations. The studio sacked the actor after he was convicted in December of abusing a former lover. In April, he was sentenced to a year of counselling rather than jail time.

Downey | AP News Image

Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning To ‘Avengers’ Films As A Villain In 1 Of Marvel’s Comic-Con Twists

Marvel already took over Hall H on Thursday with an electrifying panel promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which included a full screening and unexpected guests joining actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman onstage.

The growing excitement for the film at Comic-Con was mirrored throughout the country as fans hurried to see it in theatres, establishing the film as the new record holder for the Thursday preview for an R-rated film. The comic book film sold an estimated $38.5 million in theatre tickets during preview showing Thursday.

The triumph of “Deadpool & Wolverine” shook up Marvel’s sleepy year and alleviated concerns about its box-office underperformance in late 2023. The superhero factory reached a new low in November with the release of “The Marvels,” which grossed only $47 million.

SOURCE | AP