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This past weekend is turning out to be the best weekend for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a long time. Deadpool & Wolverine had a crazy opening weekend with big office numbers and positive reviews, with fans calling it one of the best MCU movies in the post-Avengers: Endgame era and some familiar faces besides Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman returning. Then, San Diego Comic-Con kicked off with panels teasing upcoming movies. The new Fantastic Four movie will be called The Fantastic Four: First Steps and according to attendees, they got a first look at the movie’s villain, Galactus.
Then the big news kicked in. First, after rumors of their return started buzzing, it was officially confirmed that Joe and Anthony Russo were returning to direct the next two Avengers movies. They previously directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Avengers: Secret Wars is still the sixth Avengers movie and will be released in May 2027. The fifth Avengers movie, previously called Avengers: Kang Dynasty, has been changed to Avengers: Doomsday and will come out in May 2026.
Joining the Russo brothers on stage were many people dressed up as Doctor Doom, who will take over as the movie’s antagonist. One of the people stepped forward to take off their hood and mask, revealing the actor who will play Doom. It was none other than the great Robert Downey Jr. The audience went crazy. Robert Downey Jr. was last seen in Avengers: Endgame as Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, who started the MCU in 2008 with the movie Iron Man. He will now play the biggest villain in the MCU. According to NewsX, Downey Jr. Almost played Doctor Doom in the 2005 movie Fantastic Four.
For a while, it looked like Robert Downey Jr was done in the MCU. He won this year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Then, he started hinting at being open to a return to the MCU. President of Marvel Kevin Feige started hinting that a return for Robert Downey Jr was more possible after Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The reception online seems to be torn. Some fans are once again excited for the MCU with the return of its biggest star and the directors who made some of the best movies in the franchise. On the other hand, fans are disappointed that instead of recasting Kang and sticking with Avengers: Kang Dynasty, Marvel is moving away from him and going right to Doctor Doom. Fans are also torn on Robert Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom, wondering if he’s a variant in the multiverse or the main timeline’s official Victor Von Doom. Fans are arguing that he could have returned as Superior Iron Man instead and that someone new should be playing Doom. It should be noted that there are comics where Tony Stark becomes Doctor Doom.
Despite the reactions, the hype for the MCU feels like it’s coming back. The Russo brothers are known for making the biggest MCU movies with many characters. The star who began everything is back. The recent trailer for Captain America: Brave New World got a positive response. The MCU proved they could do R-rated movies after taking full advantage of it in Deadpool & Wolverine, which is already breaking box office records. The Fantastic Four: First Steps begins production soon.
Despite the exciting news, there are still no updates on other MCU movies or release dates for confirmed movies like Armor Wars, Shang-Chi 2, Doctor Strange 3, and a couple of others. There are no updates on Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie, but that’s an announcement for Sony to make. Blade continues to struggle to find a new writer and will likely be delayed again. Outside of the Doctor Doom casting and announcing that the new Fantastic Four cast will be in the upcoming Avengers movies, it’s unknown who else will be in both films. Marvel and Disney may be waiting for D23 to make more announcements.
Are you excited for Robert Downey Jr’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom and the Russo Brothers are directing Avengers movies again? Let us know in the comments below.
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