“Avengers”: Robert Downey Jr. will return to Marvel as Doctor Doom

Robert Downey Jr. surprised fans removing a mask during the Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday (27), revealing that the “Iron Man” actor will return to the franchise as one of Marvel’s greatest villains, called Doctor Doom .

The panel was filled with hooded figures hidden by masks reminiscent of the iconic comic book villain, known for his skills in both sorcery and science, when Downey Jr. revealed himself.

“I like playing complicated characters,” he said as fans began chanting his name.

The Russo Brothers, who are returning to direct both “Avengers: Apocalypse” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” believe that while Downey Jr. has a “new mask,” he, the rest of the Marvel team and everyone else have the “same task” of helping “create the best possible experience” in the theater.

Another major villain joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a cosmic entity called Galactus, who will be the antagonist of “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and directed by “WandaVision” director Matt Shakman.

The panel had plenty of other spectacular moments, starting with a lively “Deadpool chorus” inspired by the recent film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which Marvel president Kevin Feige said broke the box office record as the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time on Saturday.

Several people dressed as the goofy red-suited character called “Deadpool” danced across the Hall H floor, walking among seated moviegoers as Madonna’s anthem “Like a Prayer” from the film played.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” has set the biggest box office opening in the United States and Canada in 2024, according to industry analysts. Sales in the U.S. and Canada through Sunday are expected to reach between $175 million and $185 million, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

The cast of the upcoming film “Captain America: Brave New World” later joined the stage with lead Anthony Mackie sharing how his version of the titular superhero is different from actor Chris Evans’ version.

“Sam is surrounded by a group of intricate characters who help him move the plot of the story forward. He’s not so much a muscular guy as he is a cerebral, thoughtful character,” Mackie said.

Then, “Indiana Jones” actor Harrison Ford, who replaces William Hurt’s role as antagonist ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, joined the “Thunderbolts” cast and jokingly “turned into the Hulk” with his arms outstretched and mouth open and then chased Mackie around the stage.

“It’s been that way for a long time,” Ford said humorously, adding that he’s proud to become a member of the Marvel universe.

David Harbour then entered Hall H amidst the seated audience wearing the costume of his “Black Widow” character named Alexei Shostakov.

He approached the stage to address the other cast members of “Thunderbolts,” which centers on a team of Marvel antiheroes, with a monologue complaining that they ignored his idea of ​​everyone dressing up for the film.

*Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Lisa Richwine; editing by Michael Perry

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