Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to Marvel as Doctor Doom in the upcoming film 'Avengers: Doomsday.'

Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to Marvel as Doctor Doom in the upcoming film 'Avengers: Doomsday.'

Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this time as Doctor Doom in the new "Avengers" movie titled "Avengers: Doomsday." The film will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who are making their return to Marvel. The Russo brothers are set to helm two new "Avengers" movies: "Doomsday," which will introduce Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom, and "Avengers: Secret Wars."

While Downey had previously mentioned in interviews that he was open to returning to Marvel, fans naturally assumed this meant he would come back as Iron Man/Tony Stark. Downey’s return as the villainous Victor von Doom has come as a massive shock to fans, including the ecstatic audience at Marvel’s presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. Downey made a triumphant appearance at Hall H on Saturday evening to announce his return.

Downey first appeared as the playboy super-genius Tony Stark in 2008’s "Iron Man," which was the inaugural installment of the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe created by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Over the next 11 years, Downey reprised his role in 10 Marvel films, including "Iron Man 2," "Iron Man 3," "The Incredible Hulk," "The Avengers," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Avengers: Endgame."

"Endgame" featured the death of Iron Man, a moment that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has previously stated would not be undone. “We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,” Feige said last December regarding Iron Man’s death. “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”

Despite his return to Marvel, Downey will not be reprising his role as Iron Man. The actor has been open this year about his interest in returning to the franchise. After his Oscar win for "Oppenheimer," Downey was asked by Esquire magazine if he would consider returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without hesitation, he responded affirmatively.

“Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA,” Downey said. “That role chose me. And look, I always say, ‘Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige.’ It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.”