Robert Downey Jr. has announced a shock return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not as his beloved Iron Man/Tony Stark.

The actor stunned MCU fans at the San Diego Comic-Con late last month by revealing he is to portray supervillain Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, the ruler of Latveria, in the forthcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, which will be directed by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo, and Avengers: Secret Wars.

For the announcement, the star was on stage wearing a mask, and he took it off to huge cheers from the crowd before saying, "New mask, same task. What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters."

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While Doom may be a complex character, he has several similarities to Iron Man in that both are scientists and inventors, and they wear suits of armour that cover their whole body. 

Downey Jr. portrayed Stark in three Iron Man movies, four Avengers motion pictures and three other Marvel films—including Spider-Man: Homecoming—before the character tragically perished in 2019's Avengers: Endgame.

Robert Downey Jr. discusses his future and the iconic Iron Man role during Marvel Studios' panel at Comic-Con International 2024. (Image: Richard Shotwell/Invision)

His time in the MCU appeared to be over then, but five years on and fans are rejoicing at the mouthwatering prospect of seeing Downey Jr. suit up in a Marvel movie again.

However, some supporters have even suggested Downey Jr. won't be portraying Doom at all and claimed he could take on the role of Superior Iron Man, a more selfish version of Stark's alter-ego.

And if Downey Jr. isn't Iron Man, then could we see someone else take on the role, despite the character's passing? 

Cruising Into Iron Man Role

One fan theory is that Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, who was originally in contention to portray Iron Man, could now portray Iron Man and do battle with Doom.

A message on X account @blurayangel read: "Now that I know Marvel Studios is listening, give me that Tom Cruise Iron Man to fight Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom."

And one Reddit user posted: "Honestly, as a lifelong comic book reader, I would say Tom Cruise would make a much more accurate Tony Stark. The comics changed him a lot for RDJ’s personality."

Nothing is Mission Impossible for Tom Cruise as rumors hint at him tackling the role of Iron Man. (Image: BFA / Alamy)

Cruise is just 2/5 to take on the part, but speculation that he might land the role is nothing new.

He has long been linked to the part, and could've taken it on before Downey Jr. In October 2023, Marvel boss Kevin Feige was quoted in a book as saying Cruise's fee was too high for him to be considered for the part.

A passage in The Reign of Marvel Studios read: "Ten years earlier, when the Iron Man rights were at 20th Century Fox, Tom Cruise, then thirty-four, had flirted with the idea of playing Stark."

According to Feige, however, Cruise’s asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to risk on an untested superhero property.

Despite this, Cruise has previously insisted he was "not close" to becoming Iron Man and insisted it is the "perfect" part for Downey Jr.

Cruise told Hyper Beast: "I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role. It’s perfect for him." 

Depp To Step In? 

If a search is on for a new Iron Man and Cruise doesn't take it on, then Johnny Depp could be in the conversation.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor is a 7/4 shot to be the next Tin Man, and he might have a gap in his schedule.

It was recently revealed there will be a Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but producer Jerry Bruckheimer hinted that the reboot could feature a completely new cast.

He told ComicBook.com: "We’re gonna reboot Pirates, so that is easier to put together because you don’t have to wait for certain actors."

Another Hollywood veteran who could be a potential Iron Man suitor is Clive Owen, and he nearly portrayed the character from the start.

While fans speculate over Clive Owen potentially becoming the next Iron Man, he receives the Festival President's Award at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. (Image: Imago / Alamy)

In May 2023, Feige told how he and his MCU colleagues went on the hunt for someone with "the perfect mix of heart, strength, and charisma" required to portray the superhero when they first started looking ahead to the 2008 movie Iron Man.

Speaking at a University of Southern California graduation ceremony, he said, "When we were casting the role of Iron Man, we looked at so many different actors. Being our first Marvel film out of the gate, the stakes could not have been higher. The success of the film and the future of our entire studio rested on the shoulders of this one person."

Marvel ended up selecting Clive Owen as their ideal candidate, but he declined the offer. Feige added: "He passed. He was not interested."

The lesson the MCU boss was explaining is that it is better for people to make "the right choice" rather than their "first choice."

While Owen passed then, could he still become Iron Man now?

The moment has probably passed, but he is just 2/1 to reverse his past decision and accept an offer, with Feige clearly a fan of his credentials. 

Cooper's MCU Switch?

Several stars across the MCU have portrayed more than one character, including Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Stephen Strange, aka Doctor Strange, in the 2016 movie Doctor Strange, and he also assumed the role of Dormammu in the same film.

While playing an MCU hero and villain is something Downey Jr. looks set to tick off when he takes on the role of Doctor Doom after playing Iron Man, could another star make it a Marvel multiple by taking on the Iron Man part?

Bradley Cooper has proven himself in the MCU by voicing racoon Rocket in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, most recently in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 last year, but he is just 6/1 to be the next Iron Man.

Others in contention include Hollywood great Matthew McConaughey (3/1), and Mad Men star Jon Hamm (4/1).

What's more, Timothy Olyphant is a 12/1 chance. The actor originally auditioned for the Iron Man role, but Downey Jr. was chosen instead.

While Downey Jr. and Iron Man have now gone their separate ways, it's exciting to have him back in the MCU.