Avengers: Doomsday: All About Robert Downey Jr.'s Return and What Was Revealed at Comic-Con

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert Downey Jr. at Comic-Con.Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty

Jesse Grant/Getty

Marvel has big things in store forAvengers: Doomsday.

Originally titledAvengers: The Kang Dynasty, the upcoming fifth Avengers film has undergone many changes since it was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022.

Many new details about the film were announced atSan Diego Comic-Conin July 2024, including the updated title and the new villain. In a standout moment during the Marvel presentation, it was announced thatRobert Downey Jr., who famouslyplayed superhero Iron Man, wouldreturn to the MCU as Doctor Doom.

From the cast to the release date, here’s everything to know aboutAvengers: Doomsday.

Who is the villain ofAvengers: Doomsday?

The announcement was made during San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, as Downey Jr. emerged onto the panel’s stage among a group of actors wearing masks and robes. “New mask, same task," Downey said as he took off Doctor Doom’s notable silver mask. “What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters.”

So, how exactly can Downey Jr. play both Iron Man and Doctor Doom? As previous films in the Multiverse Saga have teased, the MCU is teeing up for a big collision of parallel universes inAvengers5 and 6. This has led many fans to believe that Downey Jr. will be playing an alternate-universe version of Stark, where he became the villainous Doctor Doom instead of the heroic Iron Man.

Who is in theAvengers: Doomsdaycast?

Amy Sussman/WireImage

In addition to Downey Jr. as the chief villain, it was confirmed during Comic-Con that boththe Fantastic Fourandthe Thunderboltswould appear in Avengers 5 and 6.

From the Thunderbolts, the following actors are expected to appear: Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

It’s also possible that fellow Marvel starChris Evanscould also be a part of the movie. In December 2024, multiple outlets includingDeadlinereported thatEvans will be appearinginAvengers: Doomsday,though what role he would play isn’t clear.

What isAvengers: Doomsdayabout?

In the comics, they eventually discover that the mysterious villain is a familiar, heroic face who turned bad in the multiverse, perfectly setting things up for Downey Jr.’s return.

Who is directingAvengers: Doomsday?

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo at Comic-Con.Jesse Grant/Getty

Anthony and Joe Russo are slated to helm the project after a few previous director switch-ups. The movie will mark their big return to the MCU after previously directingCaptain America: The Winter Soldier(2014),Captain America: Civil War(2016),Avengers: Infinity War(2018), andAvengers: Endgame(2019).

Who is writingAvengers: Doomsday?

Not only are the Russo brothers slated to return to the MCU, but Stephen McFeely, who co-wrote all four of the Russos’ Marvel films, will pen the script,perVariety.

When willAvengers: Doomsdaybe released?

Joe Russo, Anthony Russo and Kevin Feige at Comic-Con.Jesse Grant/Getty

The movie is slated to hit theaters in May 2026 as part of the MCU’s Phase 6.

Will there be anotherAvengersmovie?

Many of the same production team will be involved including the Russo brothers as directors and Stephen McFeely as the screenwriter. The cast will also include Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and the stars ofThe Fantastic FourandThunderbolts*.

source: people.com