Although she might not remember all the MCU movies she appeared in, Gwyneth Paltrow will apparently always know Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
The Academy Award winner reacted to the Russo Brothers‘ bombshell news that Downey Jr. will return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) as Victor Von Doom nearly seven years after his tenure as Iron Man ended in Avengers: Endgame.
“I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?” Paltrow commented on the actor’s Instagram post announcing his new role.
She first starred as Tony Stark’s assistant, fellow superhero and love interest Pepper Potts in 2008’s Iron Man, appearing alongside Downey Jr. throughout the trilogy and several other MCU titles.
Paltrow’s comment came under a photo Downey Jr. staring into the eyes of his Doctor Doom mask, as well as a video of his unmasking on Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con. “New mask, same task,” he captioned the post.
After announcing their return to the directors’ chairs for the upcoming Avengers sequel, the Russo Brothers revealed “the greatest actor in the world” in his new role as Downey Jr. emerged from a sea of people in costume as Doctor Doom, removing his mask.
“We’ve always said green is your color…” the Russos commented on the photo.
Before Iron Man, Downey Jr. previously auditioned to play Doom in 2005’s Fantastic Four, but the role ultimately went to Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck, Charmed).
In addition to Doomsday, premiering May 1, 2026, Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027). The sequels will come after The Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres on July 25, 2025, introducing Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular team of superheroes in an alternate MCU universe.
Downey Jr. is effectively replacing Jonathan Majors, who was set to reprise his titular villain in the planned Avengers: Kang Dynasty but was ultimately fired from Disney and Marvel Studios in the wake of his domestic violence conviction.
