‘Avengers: Doomsday’ – Robert Downey Jr.’s Return and Key Revelations 

Marvel is planning major changes for the much-awaited fifth ‘Avengers’ movie, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Since its July 2022 announcement at San Diego Comic-Con, the film—originally titled ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’—has experienced a number of significant modifications. Kang the Conqueror, an alternate-timeline version of the character played by Jonathan Majors, was supposed to be the main focus of the original plot. However, Marvel made the decision to change the plot and add a new antagonist after Major’s legal troubles in December 2023.

Marvel unveiled significant new information at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, including the movie’s new title and adversary. The news that Robert Downey Jr., best known for his iconic portrayal of Iron Man, will be returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom was a noteworthy event. “New mask, same task,” said Downey Jr. when he emerged on stage in a mask and robe during the panel’s big revelation, and then he took off Doctor Doom’s silver mask. Additionally, he said, “What did I tell ya? I enjoy portraying complex personalities.

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Doctor Doom will be the main antagonist in the upcoming ‘Avengers’ movie, which is a big change from the Infinity Saga’s emphasis on Thanos. Instead of playing the good Iron Man, Downey Jr. is rumoured to play an alternate-universe Tony Stark who transforms into the evil Doctor Doom. 

‘The Thunderbolts’ and the ‘Fantastic Four’ will also appear alongside Downey Jr. Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn plays Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm in the ‘Fantastic Four’. Along with other well-known characters from the Marvel universe, Sebastian Stan will play Bucky Barnes in ‘The Thunderbolts’, and Florence Pugh will play Yelena Belova.

Image Courtesy: Variety

Although the plot is yet unknown, there might be some hints in the comics. ‘The Fantastic Four’ and other Marvel heroes work together to prevent a villain—later revealed to be a corrupted version of a heroic character—from destroying their timeline in the 2011 storyline ‘Ultimate Comics: Doomsday’. After directing a number of significant Marvel movies, Anthony and Joe Russo will be directing again, this time in the MCU. Phase 6 of the MCU includes ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, which is slated for release in May 2026.

–Farheen Ali