Robert Downey Jr makes MCU return as Doctor Doom with dates for next two Avengers movies announced

Major film news broke overnight as Robert Downey Jr is going to be making a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

However, the veteran won’t be stepping back into Iron Man - no, he’s long gone. Instead, he was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) as Doctor Doom with dates for the next two Avengers movies announced.

Fans may have thought Downey Jr was now well and truly out of the Marvel films for the foreseeable but it seems he fancies trying out being a baddie.

And he certainly had the audience at the Fantastic Four SDCC panel up on their feet as he removed Doctor Doom’s mask and showed his face.

Watch the moment here:

The Oppenheimer actor was confirmed to be appearing in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday as well as the slightly further off Avengers: Secret Wars as the legendary villain.

The panel made plenty of other big reveals for fans too as it confirmed that Joe and Anthony Russo would be directing these next two Avengers films.

You know, the legendary Russo Brothers who have directed four other MCU films so far, of course including 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

They were just as excited about the return, saying: "Oh, my God, we missed you guys. You are the best damn fans in the world."

Here he comes, lads. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

They went on to say Avengers: Secret Wars was 'the biggest story Marvel Comics ever told'.

Although fans might be buzzing at the thought of seeing RDJ back on the big screen in this way, there’s still a bit of a wait to go as that first Doomsday movie has now been confirmed to release in May 2026.

But then they won’t have to ponder on it too much longer as Avengers: Secret Wars is set to hit cinemas in May 2027.

The Iron Man legend had previously stated he would be open to returning to his beloved MCU but the reveal still came as a total shock to the majority of fans.

Oh, we are so back. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

And of course, they all lost it on X, with one writing: “I FW THIS SO MUCH WHAT A WAY TO BRING HIM BACK.”

Plenty of others agreed it ‘is the best surprise ever’ as another referenced The Dark Knight: “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain.”

Downey Jr said to the fans: "New mask, same task. What'd I tell you, I like playing complicated characters."