Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr has been cast as the supervillain Victor Von Doom in a bombshell twist for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He’ll be portraying the iconic nemesis of the Fantastic Four in two new Avengers movies helmed by returning directors the Russo Brothers; Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The first of which is replacing Avengers: Kang Dynasty, which fell through when the actor portraying Kang the Conqueror, Jonathan Majors, was fired after being found guilty of assault and harassment.
This will mark Robert’s first return to the MCU after Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame.
The Hollywood A-lister took to the stage dressed in a green suit and Doom’s signature cape and mask before revealing himself to thunderous applause.
“New mask, same task,” he said to fans, who were bowled away by the announcement.
Comic book enthusiasts were also treated to a number of new announcements from the studio, which is currently celebrating a massive box office weekend for their latest blockbuster, Deadpool and Wolverine.
The Fantastic Four – portrayed by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn – will appear in both upcoming Avengers movies.
Plus, their solo film, to be released in July 2025, will be titled The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Filming hasn’t begun just yet, but fans were shown exciting concept footage of the gigantic villain Galactus (played by Ralph Ineson) looking through the Baxter Building.
The cast of Thunderbolts* was also in attendance, including Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Stranger Things star David was donned in his Red Guardian garb and fans in Hall H got an exclusive look at the movie’s first trailer.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige also revealed more details about the studio’s next anticipated superhero blockbuster, Captain America: Brave New World.
He promised the film marks a return to the “grounded action” of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Cast member Giancarlo Esposito also confirmed he will be portraying the King of the Serpent Society, Seth Voelker, aka Sidewinder, after fan speculation around his mystery villain.
Deadpool and Wolverine is in cinemas now. Stream the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+.
