Robert Downey Jr. will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the villain Doctor Doom in the upcoming movies 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. This surprising announcement was made at the San Diego Comic-Con, where Downey revealed his role in costume, generating significant excitement and speculation among fans. The films are set to release in May 2026 and May 2027, respectively, marking a significant shift for Downey, who previously played Iron Man. Marvel Studios is reportedly spending over USD 80 million on the Russo brothers' direction and considerably more for Downey's portrayal of Doctor Doom, which comes with perks like private jet travel and dedicated security. Downey's co-stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo, reacted with both surprise and humor to the news. Interestingly, Downey had initially auditioned for the role of Doctor Doom over 20 years ago before being cast as Iron Man.