With Robert Downey Jr. making a grand return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom, fans are chomping to see which characters will be rounding out the roster for the highly anticipated film, Avengers: Doomsday. It’s common knowledge that The Avengers flicks are renowned for bringing together a motley crew of heroes and villains from various corners of the comic book universe, and this one promises to be no exception.
It feels like watching a chef swap from making gourmet dishes to whipping up a spicy new recipe, especially with Downey Jr. trading his Iron Man suit for a villain’s cape. Despite the shift, expectations are sky-high for his performance. More spicy news to chew on: the Hulk, that big green behemoth, is back in action for Avengers: Doomsday—not in his millennial ‘Smart Hulk’ avatar, but in his raw, unedited primal rage form.
Marvel Heroes, Including Hulk, Rumored to Smash Into Avengers: Doomsday
When San Diego Comic-Con rolled around last month, Marvel fans were on pins and needles, eagerly anticipating big news.
The Russo Brothers dropped a major scoop; they’re back in the director’s chair for both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Sure, it’s going to be a blockbuster showdown. But during the panel, the big reveal was that Robert Downey Jr. would be trading in his Iron Man suit for the villainous mantle of Doctor Doom. This character promises to stir up some serious trouble within the Avengers team.
Earlier this month, the industry insider MyTimeToShineHello served up a feast of details on X, dishing out the full roster of 26 characters rumored to be making an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
The lineup reads like a Marvel fan’s dream list: Deadpool, Wolverine, War Machine, The Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, Clea, Hulk, She-Hulk, Star-Lord, Loki, Thor, and Pepper Potts, just to name a few.
The return of War Machine and Pepper Potts is sure to strike a nostalgic chord, taking us back to the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
As for Hulk, recent whispers suggest the Russo Brothers will steer clear of Mark Ruffalo’s ‘Smart Hulk’ in Avengers: Doomsday. Instead, they’re set to revive the classic, untamed green giant. If recent gossip is to be believed, Hulk might be heading down a darker path, becoming a force of sheer chaos. This change is anticipated as Hulk faces off against Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
The thought of Hulk squaring off against Doctor Doom is enough to make one’s head spin, especially considering that Downey Jr. once played Tony Stark, a character who’s practically family to both Pepper Potts and War Machine.
Is Robert Downey Jr.’s Paycheck Worth the Hype for His MCU Comeback?
According to Variety, Marvel is splashing a staggering $80 million to get Anthony and Joe Russo back in the director’s chair for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Moreover, Disney is shelling out a “significantly higher” sum to have Robert Downey Jr. play Doctor Doom in both films.
It’s clear the Iron Man star is poised to reclaim the title of Hollywood’s one of the highest-paid actors. Disney’s financial gambit here is nothing short of massive, aiming to catapult the MCU to new heights. While the exact figures are still up for debate, it’s safe to say that Disney is opening the vault wide to keep the MCU’s magic alive.
Whether this lavish investment pays off or not remains to be seen, but Marvel’s next chapter is going to be a blockbuster spectacle! Also, the film is shaping up to be an epic journey into Hulk’s more primal side, offering fans a fresh look beyond the wisecracking and controlled version they’ve seen recently.
Avengers: Doomsday is expected to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
