Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Dr. Doom

Key Takeaways

• Robert Downey Jr. will play Victor von Doom in the fifth Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers.
• Fantastic Four: The First Steps is confirmed to be released in 2025, in conjunction with Avengers: Doomsday.
• Captain America: Brave New World will feature Adamantium, Harrison Ford as the Red Hulk, and the Thunderbolts.

In a shocking announcement, Robert Downey Jr. took to the stage at the Hall H SDCC Marvel Panel wearing a green robe, revealed that he will be playing Victor von Doom in the new Avengers movie titled Avengers: Doomsday which will be a hit. It is the fifth Avengers film, and it replaces the previously announced Kang Dynasty. The film will be released in 2026 and will be directed by the Russo Brothers, who also helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. It has also been confirmed that Downey's Doom will be part of the sixth Avengers film, Avengers: Secret Wars, which is also being directed by the Russos.

“Same mask, new job,” Downey told the audience on stage.

No plot details have been released yet but it seems reasonable that the film will be closely related to Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was also confirmed at the panel to be released one year from today, July 27, 2025.

More Marvel stories from Hall H

Fantastic 4: First Steps begins filming next week and Adamantium will be part of the plot in Captain America: Brave New World

While no new trailers were released publicly during Marvel's Hall H panel at this year's SDCC, we did get some interesting new production details about the titles in development.

First, the cast of Captain America: Brave New World gathered on stage to talk about the film, and a short H H-only clip was shown of Harrison Ford as the Red Hulk, which was teased in the newly released trailer. It has also been confirmed that the quest for Adamantium (which Wolverine's claws are made of) will be the focus of the film.

The cast of Thunderbolts took the stage again to talk about the making of the film, but no new details were shared.

Next, it was revealed that the new Fantastic Four movie will have the subtitle “First Steps” and will take place in the retro-futuristic view of the '60s. Filming hasn't started yet, but it's been confirmed that the script is finished and the cameras will be rolling in the next few days. This is really good news as it was revealed that the film will be released in exactly one year.