Robert Downey Jr. Stuns Fans with Return to Marvel as Doctor Doom at San Diego Comic-Con

Robert Downey Jr. surprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H panel by removing a mask to reveal he will rejoin the Marvel franchise as the iconic villain Doctor Doom. The panel, filled with hooded figures wearing masks resembling the comic book villain, erupted in cheers as Downey Jr. made his dramatic reveal. “I like playing complicated characters,” he said, prompting fans to chant his name enthusiastically.

The Russo Brothers, set to direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” emphasized their goal of creating an unparalleled cinematic experience. “Though Downey Jr. has a ‘new mask,’ he, the Marvel team, and everyone involved share the ‘same task’ of delivering the best possible experience for audiences,” they said.

The panel also introduced another major villain to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: the cosmic entity Galactus, who will be the antagonist in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” directed by Matt Shakman of “WandaVision.”

The event featured numerous showstopping moments, including a lively “Deadpool choir” inspired by the film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which Marvel president Kevin Feige announced had set the box office record for the highest-grossing R-rated film. Different versions of Deadpool danced through the audience to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” celebrating the film’s massive success. Industry analysts estimated the film’s U.S. and Canadian box office sales would hit between $175 million and $185 million by Sunday.

The cast of the upcoming “Captain America: Brave New World” took the stage next. Lead actor Anthony Mackie discussed how his portrayal of Captain America differs from Chris Evans’ version. “Sam is surrounded by a host of intricate characters that help him move through the plot of the story. He’s not so much a muscle-bound guy; he’s more of a cerebral, thoughtful character,” Mackie explained.

Harrison Ford, who will replace William Hurt as Thunderbolt Ross, joined the cast and humorously pretended to “hulk out,” chasing Mackie around the stage. “It’s been like this for a long time,” Ford joked, expressing pride in joining the Marvel universe.

David Harbour, dressed as his “Black Widow” character Alexei Shostakov, entered the hall through the audience. He approached the stage and humorously complained about his “Thunderbolts” castmates ignoring his idea for team costumes. The “Thunderbolts” film focuses on a team of Marvel anti-heroes, adding another exciting layer to Marvel’s expanding cinematic universe.

This year’s Comic-Con panel showcased Marvel’s dedication to evolving its storytelling and characters, promising fans thrilling new adventures and beloved familiar faces.

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