Robert Downey Jr. returns to Marvel as Doctor Doom
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA—Robert Downey Jr. stunned fans as he removed a mask during Saturday’s San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel, revealing that the “Iron Man” actor will rejoin the franchise as one of Marvel’s biggest villains, Doctor Doom.
The panel was flooded with hooded figures concealed by masks that resembled 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 to chant his name.
The Russo Brothers, who are returning to direct both “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Avengers Secret Wars,” believe that while Downey Jr. has a “new mask,” he, the rest of the Marvel team, and everyone else has the “same task” of helping to “create the greatest possible experience” at the movie theater.
Another major villain joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is cosmic entity Galactus, the antagonist in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
The panel had plenty more showstopping moments, as it began with a boisterous “Deadpool choir,” inspired by the recent film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which Marvel president Kevin Feige said set the box office record for the highest grossing R-rated film ever on Saturday.
Different iterations of the silly red-costumed character “Deadpool” danced around the Hall H floor, walking among the seated attendees as the film’s anthem “Like a Prayer” by Madonna played.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” has the largest domestic box office opening of 2024, according to industry analysts. US and Canadian sales through Sunday should hit between $175 million and $185 million, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. —REUTERS
