‘New mask, same task’: Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Doctor Doom
The MCU turns to its biggest star and its blockbuster directors for future ‘Avengers’ movies.
Wow. Wowwowow. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU. But he’s trading the classic Iron Man mask for something more villainous … Doctor Doom.
Marvel Studios closed out its massive San Diego Comic-Con Hall H presentation with the reveal that Downey, along with directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, were returning for the next two Avengers movies. The big twist was that Downey would now play the big bad of these films. In his words: “New mask, same task.”
Honestly, I was doubting whether or not I actually needed to write a special edition of Popculturology for Marvel’s Hall H presentation up until this announcement. The confirmation that the Russo Brothers were coming back was good, but it wasn’t until the Downey reveal that we had our real holy shit moment.
The seed of the idea that Downey could return as Doctor Doom had been planted over the past few weeks by various dubious reports, but it was wild to see it happen for real. When it comes down to it, though, I’m not shocked. Downey got his Oscar for Oppenheimer. He proved to the world that he’s an ACTOR™️. If he wants to come back to the MCU and have some fun, all the more power to him.
