At San Diego Comic-Con, Robert Downey Jr. shocked fans by announcing his return to the Marvel franchise as Doctor Doom, a significant villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Downey Jr., who previously portrayed Iron Man, revealed his new role during a panel led by directors The Russo Brothers, who confirmed their direction of the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday' in May 2026 and 'Avengers: Secret Wars' in May 2027. The event also featured announcements about other Marvel projects, including 'The Fantastic Four,' with stars like Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. Marvel President Kevin Feige highlighted the need to reinvigorate the franchise amidst recent challenges, including the departure of actor Jonathan Majors due to domestic violence allegations. Fans responded enthusiastically to Downey's return, reaffirming his impact on the franchise. Overall, the panel was a celebration of Marvel's future and its iconic characters, as it seeks to recapture its previous success.