Summary
Robert Downey Jr.’s return as theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s Tony Stark has been confirmed at this year’s D23, albeit with one important caveat. Serving as one of the MCU’s most important and enduring characters, Downey’s Iron Man ultimately met his fate in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame. Since then, it has been largely assumed that Downey’s time in the franchise had already come to a definitive end. However, this year’s San Diego Comic-Con sent shockwaves through the Marvel fanbase when it was revealed that Downey would be returning to play theiconic Marvel villain Doctor Doomin 2026’sAvengers: Doomsday.
As part of the D23 Experiences Showcase, for whichScreen Rantwas in attendance, it was revealed that Downey is also set to reprise his original MCU character in addition to his new role as Doctor Doom. However, audiences will need to head to Disneyland’s Avengers Campus to experience it, ashis return as Tony Stark will be for a new ride experiences instead of a future MCU movie. During the panel, two new Marvel-themed attractions were announced,Avengers Infinity DefenseandStark Flight Lab,with construction set to begin later this year.
How RDJ’s Tony Stark Can Still Make His Big Screen Return
Downey’s Iron Man Could Still Make Another MCU Appearance
As one of the MCU’s most beloved and recognizable stars, the decision to bring Downey back forAvengers: Doomsdayhas largely been lauded by fans concerned with the franchise’spost-Avengers: Endgamestruggles. While some online commentators are not completely comfortable with the idea of Downey stepping in to play one of Marvel’s most recognizable villains, his proven versatility as an actor is likely to provide viewers with avastly different character than the one that first helped to launch the MCU.
While it is unclear whether Downey’s Doctor Doom will originally hail from a different reality to the MCU’s Sacred Timeline, most theories already point to that being the most likely scenario.
Moreover, with Downey’s return coinciding with the MCU’s plans to bring their troubled Multiverse Saga to a proper conclusion in 2027’sAvengers: Secret Wars,it is likely thathis physical resemblance to Earth 616’s Tony Stark will end up playing an important partin the unfolding story. While it is unclear whether Downey’s Doctor Doom will originally hail from a different reality to the MCU’s Sacred Timeline, most theories already point to that being the most likely scenario.
Most importantly, however, the idea of Downey’sDoctor Doom being a Tony Stark variantalso opens the possibility for other Stark variants to appear duringAvengers: Secret Wars.If so, it would not be completely out of the question for that movie to establish a showdown between two different Stark variants and have Downey’s Iron Man battling his version of Doctor Doom in a scene reminiscent ofAvengers: Endgame’sCap versus Cap fight. Either way, Downey’s imminent return as theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s Tony Stark may very well end up being for far more than just some new Disneyland rides.
