Marvel Stars Share Shocked, Confused Reactions to Robert Downey Jr. MCU Return

Because the Marvel Cinematic Universe celebrated attaining that new milestone for any franchise, due to the large opening weekend underway for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ Mackie was both genuinely shocked by the information, or taking part in it off.

With the best way Marvel holds its secrecy sacrosanct, both is feasible.

As an interviewer for The Hollywood Reporter advised Mackie that RDJ was coming again to the MCU, he turned his head off-camera momentarily as if shocked, however then rapidly replied with, “I higher kill him first.”

The brand new face of Captain America was referring to the truth that Downey isn’t returning as Iron Man (aka Tony Stark), however slightly one Victor Von Doom. That’s proper, as half of a bigger announcement about Dr. Doom making his MCU presence in an enormous means, RDJ was revealed to be below the masks.

“I get first dibs to knock him off,” Mackie continued of his one-time superhero ally (at the very least so far as the actor contained in the go well with is worried).

When requested if followers may really see that match-up, Mackie stated, ‘Hell, yeah. He’s gonna pull a hamstring or one thing. I’m gonna take him down. I’m not going frivolously into this darkish night time.”

Downey’s Iron Man costar Gwyneth Paltrow — who at all times appears a bit confused about the place she suits within the MCU — shared her personal response on the actor’s Instagram publish, commenting, “I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?”

Mark Ruffalo, aka Hulk, added, “Hey Brat, inexperienced fits you” — whereas Hawkeye himself, Jeremy Renner, commented, “Bringing the DOOM 🔥!!!”

Different celebs in awe included Serena Williams — who wrote, “I really like any model of Tony/Robert/doom!” — Hannah Waddingham, who added, “Now that’s f–king cool! 👏” and Seth Inexperienced, who commented, “I’m entertained.”

Florence Pugh additionally reacted in actual time backstage in San Diego:

Downey’s reveal was the spotlight of the night time, primarily based on the rapturous roar that erupted in Corridor H when Downey revealed his face. It’s not clear if he’s meant to appear to be Tony Stark as a part of some in-story continuity, or maybe he’ll simply by no means take the masks off, as Doom (virtually) by no means does within the supply materials.

RDJ’s look was the end result of a reveal that included the return of the Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony) to the franchise, as nicely, to helm the subsequent two Avengers movies.

Already introduced, the movies now have administrators, a villain, and names: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The primary will introduce RDJ’s Physician Doom to the MCU correct, whereas the second … nicely, that’s for the long run to inform.

Physician Doom being the primary villain seems to be a significant shift for the MCU, which had been organising Jonathan Majors’ Kang as a significant Avengers-level participant. Actually, it was thought Avengers 5 could be The Kang Dynasty.

However the actor’s off-screen authorized troubles put a fast kibosh on these plans as Marvel Studios rapidly severed ties with him, with The Kang Dynasty reverting to 5 till … nicely, till RDJ’s huge reveal on Saturday night time. “New masks, similar activity,” Downey stated after unmasking.

Physician Doom, in fact, is one among Marvel’s most well-known villains, and he’s additionally famously tied to the First Household of Marvel Comics, the Incredible 4. He and Reed Richards (Mr. Incredible) had been school roommates within the authentic comics and he has intensive connections to the household, each villainous and even pleasant (and familial), from time to time.

Doom isn’t the one basic Incredible 4 villain becoming a member of the MCU, both, as that epic drone present that kicked off Comedian-Con confirmed the looks of old skool Galactus as the foremost cosmic-level villain the FF should cope with of their MCU debut. Footage revealed in Corridor H additionally featured Galactus in all his helmeted glory looming over the Earth.

As for Doom, it was applicable that his introduction into the MCU comes on the heels of theirs. Actually, it was confirmed that after starring in their very own Sixties-set movie, totally titled The Incredible 4: First Steps,, the Fab 4 may even be that includes in each of the upcoming Avengers movies, as nicely. No phrase on how that might work, contemplating the practically 60 12 months hole between the 2 eras, however it’s a courageous new period within the MCU, in spite of everything.

Dare nicely name it a Courageous New World? That’s the subtitle of Mackie’s big-screen debut as the brand new lead for the Captain America franchise, in spite of everything. In that very same interview, he talked about how the title refers to this new period.

“It exhibits a brand new era of Marvel, a brand new basis that we’re beginning on,” he stated of his movie’s title. “Sam Wilson is getting into right into a courageous new forecast of the world that Marvel is changing into, that our scenario, our universe is changing into.”

“I feel it’s an excellent title for the whole lot that’s taking place with the characters within the film,” he added. Additionally revealed was the identification of Giancarlo Esposito’s villain for Mackie’s Courageous New World, with the Breaking Unhealthy alum taking over the position of Sidewinder, the chief of the cult-like Serpent Society.

Captain America: Courageous New World is a part of the closing chapters of Section 5 of the MCU. That movie comes out February 14, 2025, adopted by the ultimate movie of the period in Thunderbolts*. Sure, that asterisk is intentional and no it wasn’t defined at Comedian-Con.

The unique Thunderbolts comedian collection featured one of many greatest secrets and techniques and twists within the historical past of comedian books, which left followers on the perimeters of their seats awaiting the subsequent chapter. Will the movie merely mirror that twist, or have they got one among their very own? Each movies are anticipated to set the stage for Section 6, or as Mackie put it, “the world that Marvel is changing into.”

Section 6 kicks off with The Incredible 4: First Steps on July 25, 2025, a lot as Marvel Comics kicked off with The Incredible 4 all these a long time in the past. The brand new period additionally contains the upcoming Blade film on November 7, 2025 (until its delayed), and Avengers: Doomsday on Could 1, 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars on Could 7, 2027.