Marvel stars react to Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU: "He was the origin of this whole universe"

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Exclusive: The cast of Thunderbolts* share their reactions to Robert Downey Jr. playing Dr Doom

Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Marvel's big return to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con featured some huge teases about the future of the MCU. 

However, there's no doubt that the biggest news of the night was Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as Doctor Doom, the major new villain of Avengers 5 – which is officially titled Avengers: Doomsday. 

"That's cool," Julia Louis-Dreyfus tells us, as her co-star Lewis Pullman shares: "That's amazing. I mean, that's a beautiful thing because he was, in many ways, the origin of this whole universe. That's awesome. Love to hear that."

Downey Jr. made an appearance during the panel, revealing he was hidden behind a mask after the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday was teased. "New mask, same task," he quipped. You can watch the moment it happened below.

Elsewhere during the Marvel panel, a first look at Fantastic Four was revealed and we got a first trailer for Thunderbolts.

In short, then, Marvel Phase 5 and Marvel Phase 6 look absolutely packed with goodies. 

Avengers: Doomsday is arriving in theaters on May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027. Thunderbolts*, meanwhile, is landing May 2, 2025. 

For everything else revealed at the panel, check out our Marvel SDCC 2024 live coverage, or for the rest of Comic-Con, there's our SDCC 2024 live blog. If you're after a recap of everything that's happened, see our SDCC schedule. 

Keep up to date with the MCU with our guide to the upcoming Marvel movies and shows, or see how to watch the Marvel movies in order. 

Fay Watson
Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

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