- Primary Subject: Avengers: Doomsday update
- Key Update: Kevin Feige revealed that discussions for Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom began in early 2023, following years of informal brainstorming.
- Status: In post-production
- Last Verified: April 17, 2026
- Quick Answer: Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Victor von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, a creative decision finalized after a private pitch at his home.
It's been a long time coming for fans to finally get the closure they wanted to have with Robert Downey Jr. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But what could they have in store for fans?
In the latest CinemaCon, Marvel Studios' big boss Kevin Feige revealed the importance of having RDJ return to the franchise and why his presence is needed in Avengers: Doomsday.
Kevin Feige on Why Avengers: Doomsday Needs Robert Downey Jr.
When Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Avengers: Doomsday co-director Joe Russo were asked about what made them decide to have Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. return to the franchise, Feige was certain no one could ever come close to what they did for the MCU.
While Chris Evans reprises his role as Steve Rogers, Downey trades in his Iron Man suit for a new mask, becoming the MCU's deadliest villain.
"Obviously, there is nobody we're closer with than Robert," Feige told Fandango, "So ever since Avengers: Endgame, we would see each other quite a lot, and it was unspoken for a long time: what could we do and how could we do it? Years went by, and we started thinking of this way to do it."
Feige even recounted when they first thought about the potential of their highly anticipated return: "I want to say early 2023 that we started saying, 'Maybe we actually think this could really work," he added, "Then I went to his abode and pitched him the idea."
Despite the mixed reactions from fans, there is no denying that the shocking return (and reunion) of the original Avengers is one of the only ways we can imagine Doomsday to be all the more impactful than it already is with the big-screen debut of Doctor Doom.
In the same interview, the Russo Brothers also noted that this felt like "the correct way for us to come back to continue that story of that character" and "move the story forward" while getting the chance to work with RDJ again: "We found a path forward that really was integral, really required both Chris and Robert for the story to be told."
What Else CinemaCon Revealed About Avengers: Doomsday
According to the trailer descriptions from CinemaCon, Avengers: Doomsday sees the former Captain America in an extensive role by getting back in contact with Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Evans joins a huge cast of fellow Avengers, a new generation of Marvel heroes, and legacy X-Men characters joining the canon MCUniverse.
It is also worth mentioning, based on the trailer description, that Thor will be striking Doctor Doom with Stormbreaker, only for Doom to hit the uno reverse by effortlessly stopping the blade with his bare hands, emphasizing he is a threat like no other the Avengers have faced before.
To get the hype going, Feige announced that Avengers: Endgame will be re-released in theaters this September with "never-before-seen" surprises.
Avengers: Doomsday is slated to premiere on the big screens on December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars set to debut on December 17, 2027. Stay tuned!
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