Robert Downey Jr
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In a multiverse-melting surprise, Marvel Studios revealed that its most bankable star is retiring from the MCU for a couple. The Avengers movies.
Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the film franchise as classic Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom for a newly titled film. Avengers: DoomsdayReleased in May 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars, I salute you in May 2027. Kevin Feige officially confirmed the Russo brothers. Will run these next two The Avengers movies.
Downey became one of the biggest movie stars in the world after launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008. iron man. His work helped make the MCU the highest-grossing film franchise of all time — and he was highly rewarded, earning a $50 million salary in the process. Downey retired from the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2019 Avengers: Endgame, in which his character died saving the universe. Marvel’s challenge to find a hero to replace the huge hole left by Downey makes Saturday’s announcement even more meaningful.
“New mask, same mission,” Downey told the audience from the stage.
Downey walked onstage with nearly two dozen olive-robed metal, Dr. Doom-like masks and joined Feige and the Russo Brothers in what was almost a religious ceremony. One of the most complex characters in all of fiction, the most entertaining characters,” Joe Russo said. “If we’re going to do this … we’re going to need the greatest actor in the world.”
The audience was already completely on the edge of their seats in the previous hours of Marvel Hall H frenzy. He continued, “As a testament to the unimaginable possibilities of the Marvel Universe, we present you with a man who can play Victor Van Doom…”
Then a masked man in green came forward and unmasked: Downey, proud, ready to salute. This happened immediately as the 6,500-plus people in the audience lost what was left of their minds.
A few minutes ago, the Russos were introduced as these new directors The Avengers Films produced and directed by them.
“That four-film run was incredible,” said Anthony Russo, after their collection of films played on the screen. “And it really cost us, put all our emotions on the ground. Since then, through a great story, Joe and I have come to see the path forward with all of you. Joe Russo added about where his brother left off, “It’s the greatest story Marvel Comics has ever told. , the first comic book run I read as a kid that made me fall in love with comics. This is why me and the ant are standing here. I think you all know its name. Avengers: Secret Wars The title flashed on the big screen.
Stephen McFeely, who wrote the Russo’s Marvel movies alongside Christopher Markus, will write the new The Avengers movies. The Russo’s have been keeping it for a long time Secret Wars — which was the title of a pair of 1980s event comics for Marvel — was their dream project. In Secret WarsAn all-powerful being known as The Beyonder transported Marvel’s heroes and villains to a planet called Warworld, where they were forced to fight.
This news marks a creative change for the newly titled Avengers: DoomsdayIt comes before Secret Wars and service Avengers 5.. Feige announced otherwise Avengers 5 in Hall H two years ago Avengers: The Kong Dynasty. The film would have featured Jonathan Majors as the time-traveling villain Kong, however in December, a New York jury found Majors guilty of harassing and assaulting an ex-girlfriend, prompting him to cut ties with the Marvel actor and have to reconsider. Picture.
The move comes on the heels of a record-breaking opening weekend Deadpool & WolverineIt’s easily the best start of all time for an R-rated feature, and it’s injected renewed energy into the MCU.
The Russo Brothers.’ Again significant. They made a record with Avengers: Endgame (2019), which topped for a time Avatar The greatest movie of all time, they also directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Over the years, they have dominated streaming features Cherry And gray manBut most loved among the audience for their Marvel work.
The The Avengers The franchise is the crowning glory for Marvel Studios, building its reputation by combining heroes to achieve what many thought was impossible. iron man, Captain America And Thor Films for a group that had a genre-defining hit in 2012.
Downey is coming off a career high by winning his first Oscar earlier this year for his portrayal of Christopher Nolan’s Louis Strauss. Oppenheimer. The actor also recently received an Emmy nomination for HBO sympathize.
