Robert Downey Jr to return to Marvel as Doctor Doom

Robert Downey Jr is returning to the Marvel superhero universe after five years of absence – but not in his Iron Man role that launched the blockbuster franchise.

This actor is set to make a return as Dr. Victor Von Doom, a famous villain from the comic books that inspired the cult film series.

Downey Jr will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled to release in May 2026. It will be followed by an additional film called Secret Wars a year later.

Stars that will join in the Marvel franchise were revealed during Comic Con. Comic Con event in San Diego.

Downey Jr was on stage, hidden behind the iconic mask of Doctor Doom and cloak, before unveiling himself to the crowd.

In an interview with reporters, he told them: “I like playing complicated characters.”

The 59-year-old was pivotal in the creation of the Marvel film universe, appearing in the very first film Iron Man in 2008.

The last time he appeared was in an Marvel film in the year 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

The American actor was awarded the Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer earlier this year.

Marvel is scheduled to release three more films in 2025, before Avengers is released on big screens.

Captain America: Brave New World will include Harrison Ford replace the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

Florence Pugh will take on the lead part in Thunderbolts as well as Pedro Pascal will make his Marvel debut in The Fantastic 4: First Steps.

Disney’s Marvel film franchise has brought in $30 billion (PS23.3bn) on box-office revenues – making it the first franchise in history to do this however profits have declined since the past few years.

However it is it is worth noting that the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine, which stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is a chance of a revival the film made $96m in its first morning on a Friday.

In the year 2000, Marvel dropped actor Jonathan Majors who played the Kang the Conqueror in the film Kang the Conqueror – following his conviction for attacking his girlfriend.