Robert Downey Jr. Reveals the Conversation That Led Him to Destiny

Robert Downey Jr. shocked, energized and dismayed various comic book fans earlier this summer when it was revealed that he would be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom in 2026. Avengers: Judgment Day. More recently, he shared a bit more detail about how he found himself in the running for another huge Hollywood payday again.

Speaking on the last episode of The Hollywood ReporterThe Awards Chatter podcast’s occasional singer and Ally McBeal The Season 4 star outlined how he was enlisted to return to the most lucrative, and perhaps most-played, franchise in movie history. Despite his departure The Avengers behind after his death in 2019 End of gameRDJ said he still remains in contact with directors Anthony and Joe Russo, as well as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

He was scheduled to meet with Feige in 2023 to discuss reprising his role as Iron Man for performances at some Disney theme park attractions, when the executive ambushed him with a much bigger proposition. “He said, ‘It keeps coming to my mind, if you came back…’ and Susan (his wife) was like, ‘Wait, wait, come back as what?'” Downey said. said on the podcastthinking back to that fateful encounter.

Learn more: 7 Awesome Doctor Doom Comics You Should Read Right Now

Feige seemingly continued to talk about all the problems with RDJ’s return before moving on to his Doom pitch. “How do we not go backwards? How do we not disappoint expectations? How do we continue to exceed expectations?” Downey said, describing the concerns. “And he brought up Victor Von Doom. I studied that character. Later, he said, ‘Let’s make Victor Von Doom perfect.'”

The seed planted, the actor said he then met with Disney CEO Bob Iger to review what was in the works for the An Iron Man-themed tour of the Stark Flight Lab and other parts of the Disneyland MCU attraction called “Avengers Infinity Defense”.“So I asked Kevin, ‘Can I go talk to Bob Iger?’” Downey said. “He said, ‘What?’ and I said, ‘Everything.’ I had been to Bob’s house and I don’t know how to describe it. I’ve had a lot of really cool experiences, but I went to Iger’s house and we sat down and he said, ‘I like this.’ I said, ‘He likes this.’”

Downey later said that the Avengers-based Disney attractions currently in development were mind-blowing, but didn’t elaborate on why the same could be said about his return to the MCU as Doom. He also left out the part where he apparently receives $80 million and many other exclusive perks to come back and try to revive the currently declining transmedia comic book hero industrial complex.