Marvel’s Stars React to Robert Downey Jr.’s Return to the MCU
The big news coming out of Marvel’s H panel at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend was that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU to play Victor von Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
While fans were understandably shocked and ecstatic by the revelation, it also surprised many of Downey’s Marvel co-stars.
When told of Downey’s return by The Hollywood Reporter, Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie appeared stunned before quickly quipping, “I better kill him first.”
When asked if we could see a Sam Wilson vs. Dr. Doom matchup, Mackie was adamant that it was possible.
“‘Hell, yeah. He’s gonna pull a hamstring or something. I’m gonna take him down. I am not going lightly into this dark night.”
The Avengers Weigh In
Downey’s longtime Iron Man co-star, Gwyneth Paltrow, was also seemingly surprised by the news and perhaps a little confused by the MCU altogether. The woman tasked with bringing Pepper Potts to life commented on Downey’s Instagram post writing, “I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?”
View this post on Instagram
Downey’s fellow Avengers Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner also commented on the post.
“Hey Brat, green suits you,” Ruffalo wrote.


Photo: Marvel
“Bringing the DOOM 🔥!!!” Renner added.
“I Bet It Went Insane in There!”
Reacting to the news in real-time, Florence Pugh, who is set to star in Thunderbolts*, watched a clip of Downey’s unmasking in Hall H with her mouth agape.
Florence Pugh’s jaw drops when she sees Robert Downey Jr. return as Victor von Doom: “I bet it went insane in there!” https://t.co/1xruBMTh3G pic.twitter.com/oo2ZyzSrfs
— Variety (@Variety) July 28, 2024
“I bet it went insane in there!” she exclaimed.
While fans will have to wait a couple years to see Downey in action again, the star’s return has clearly shaken up the Marvel universe.
Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
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