Robert Downey Jr’s Condition for Marvel Return Reportedly Revealed

Robert Downey Jr. is making a spectacular return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Downey had previously bowed out of the Marvel franchise following Tony Stark’s heroic sacrifice to defeat Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. For a long time, fans thought his chapter in the MCU had closed. However, fast forward five years, and Downey is back, this time taking on a new role.

Instead of reprising his iconic Iron Man role, Downey will step into the shoes of Victor Von Doom. Fresh trade reports reveal that the return of some familiar filmmakers played a crucial role in persuading Downey for this comeback.

As reported by Variety, Downey agreed to return only if Joe and Anthony Russo were at the helm of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. “They were the only ones he would work with,” an insider shared with Variety.

With this return comes the biggest payday of Downey’s prolific career. The trade reports suggest he stands to earn more than $80 million. Additionally, the star has made several high-caliber demands, including travel via private jet, his own security detail, and an entire encampment on the sets of the upcoming Avengers movies.

Downey’s openness to returning to Marvel started to show as early as June. The actor, during a video interview with Variety, expressed how deeply intertwined the Marvel universe is with his own life. “It’s just crazily in my DNA. Probably the most like-me character I’ve ever played, even though he’s way cooler than I am,” Downey said. He mentioned being surprisingly open-minded about the idea, reflecting on how good they looked in the stills they took. “I’m like, ‘We look pretty good.'”

In another interview, Downey emphasized his unwavering faith in Marvel Studios’ boss Kevin Feige. “I always say: Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win,” Downey remarked.

Marvel Studios has an exciting film slate lined up. It includes titles such as Captain America: Brave New World set for release on February 14th, 2025, Thunderbolts on May 5th, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25th, 2025, Blade on November 7th, 2025, Avengers: Doomsday on May 1st, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7th, 2027.

His return marks a major moment for fans and the franchise alike. As the MCU expands and brings in new characters and stories, the allure of seeing a beloved star like Downey in a fresh role adds another layer of excitement and anticipation.

Source: Variety