Though Downey Jr.’s tenure as Iron Man has ended, the actor is set to return to the MCU in a completely new role: the villainous Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. has expressed deep gratitude for his iconic role as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), reflecting on how the character opened his eyes to the potential of technology in shaping a better world.
In an interview with Screen Rant, the 59-year-old actor, who portrayed Iron Man from the first Iron Man film in 2008 until Avengers: Endgame in 2019, shared his appreciation for the character’s impact. “It’s 17 years I’ve been associated with this iconic superhero… It’s the message he represents that I’m grateful for,” Downey Jr. said. “Tony Stark opened my eyes wider to the power technology has to impact the world for good, and that’s something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”
Though Downey Jr.’s tenure as Iron Man has ended, the actor is set to return to the MCU in a completely new role: the villainous Doctor Doom. The actor’s involvement in Avengers: Doomsday has generated significant excitement, with directors Joe and Anthony Russo revealing that Downey Jr. is “so immersed” in the character.
Joe Russo commented, “It’s a very intense process developing the character. He’s so immersed in it. He is so dialed in.” Anthony Russo added, “That’s the kind of artist he is. That’s the kind of actor he is.”
The Russo brothers, who directed several MCU hits including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, also teased that Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, would push boundaries and “challenge audiences.” According to Joe Russo, the duo has found a new approach to storytelling that they believe will surprise viewers. “We think very radical and we think it’s going to challenge audiences,” Joe explained. “These movies are going to be a surprise to people.”
The Russo brothers have high expectations for these upcoming films, noting their ambition to surpass their previous MCU successes. “We have to be, right? Because we have to outdo those movies in a way, or we at least have to take you on an equally engaging journey,” Joe said.
The two films will be shot back-to-back in London, with principal photography for Avengers: Doomsday scheduled to begin later this month. The rigorous filming schedule will test the directors’ endurance, with Joe admitting, “We may or may not survive… But we’re very excited about it.”
With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars promising to be major milestones in the MCU, both the Russo brothers and Downey Jr. are eager to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide.
