Robert Downey Jr. to Return as Villain in 'Avengers' Movie, One of Marvel Comic-Con's Twists
SAN DIEGO: Marvel Studios returned to San Diego Comic-Con with a dancing Deadpool transformation and a choir for a panel discussion that included news about the next two “Avengers” movies and surprise guests including Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr.
Downey is returning to Marvel movies, but not as Iron Man. He's set to reprise his role as villain Victor von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, in at least one of the upcoming “Avengers” films. Downey began his Marvel movie run in “Iron Man” and has played the popular character in nine films, but on Saturday, he appeared in the mask and green cape of Doctor Doom.
“It’s a new mask, but the mission is the same,” Downey said to rapturous applause.
The Russo brothers, who will direct the film featuring Downey, said Downey's participation in the film “proves the unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel multiverse.”
The reveal marked Marvel's triumphant return to Comic-Con Hall H.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige kicked off the panel by saying that the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe has now surpassed $30 billion in box office receipts, thanks to the success of this weekend's “Deadpool & Wolverine.” In a nod to a scene from the film, a choir sang Madonna's “Like a Prayer” before Feige spoke.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” which opened Thursday, has already broken one record and could break more in its opening weekend. Feige used Saturday's panel to map out the future direction of the MCU, revealing Ford's character in the next “Captain America” movie and revealing the titles of the next two films in the epic superhero team-up series: “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” which will be released in 2026.
Feige said all of the actors introduced Saturday will star in the upcoming “Avengers” film, which is being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. The brothers led the “Avengers” franchise through a massive storyline that ended with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” including the death of Downey’s Tony Stark/Iron Man character.
When we made “Avengers: Endgame,” Joe and I truly believed that it was the end of our road in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because we had poured all our passion, love and imagination into “Winter Soldier,” “Civil War,” “Infinity War,” and we culminated it all with “Avengers: Endgame.” “That four-part series was incredible, and we spent all our time creatively putting all our emotions into it. And from then on, Joe and I saw a potential path forward with you, through this very special story.”
They called “Secret Wars” “the greatest story Marvel Comics has ever told,” and Joe said it was the first comic book he read as a child that “got him hooked on comics.”
Saturday's session comes after Marvel pulled out of the convention last year due to the Hollywood strike, which prevented writers and actors from speaking on panels.
The cast of “Captain America: Brave New World” – Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Anthony Mackie – took to the stage first to tease details about the upcoming film. Esposito revealed that he will be playing villain Seth Voelker, aka Sidewinder.
When asked what it was like to be involved in a Marvel project, Esposito said, “It's a dream come true.”
“Your dreams come true, you get that phone call and you walk through the door,” he continued. “I'm so grateful to all the fans who made this dream come true, because fan casting brought us together.”
The cast then stepped back to share a scene from the film on the big screen, which revealed that Ford's character, President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, wants to rebuild the Avengers alongside Mackie's Sam Wilson. It also showed Ford's character transforming into the Red Hulk.
After showing off his muscles to the cheering crowd as fans watched clips from the film, Ford joined the panel. He also expressed his excitement for his latest role, saying, “I’m thrilled and proud to be a part of the Marvel Universe.”
The cast and director of “Thunderbolts (asterisk)” also surprised fans with a short clip from the film. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour (who was in full costume and spoke like the Red Guardian for the first time) took to the stage to share more details about their characters.
The film is scheduled to be released in May 2025.
The last film teased at the panel was “Fantastic Four,” starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Evon Moss-Bachrach. Feige said the film will begin shooting in London on Tuesday.
He said the film will be released exactly one year later, in July 2025.
After a special video created for Comic-Con by director Matt Shakman showed off the cast in all their '60s glory, he and Feige revealed the film's official title: “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
The session made no mention of Jonathan Majors, who plays the villain Kang the Conqueror and was previously a major part of Marvel’s “Avengers” plans. The actor was fired from the studio in December after being convicted of assaulting an ex-girlfriend. He was sentenced to a year-long counseling program in April and avoided prison.
Marvel already took over Hall H on Thursday with an electric panel celebrating “Deadpool & Wolverine,” where audiences were treated to a full screening and surprise guests Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on stage.
The excitement for the film at Comic-Con was reflected nationwide as fans flocked to theaters to see it, setting a new record for Thursday previews for an R-rated film. The comic book film sold an estimated $38.5 million worth of movie tickets during its Thursday preview screenings.
The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” woke up Marvel to a sluggish year and eased concerns about a box office slump in late 2023. The superhero factory set an all-time low in November when “Marvel” opened to just $47 million.
