Getty Image
The biggest news in the entertainment world this weekend has been the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the former Iron Man/Tony Stark actor has been officially cast as Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom in a stunning turn of events.
The major casting move by Marvel isn’t only being widely discussed by fans, as even disgraced actor Jonathan Majors — whom Robert Downey Jr. effectively replaced as the MCU’s “big bad” was asked about it.
Another MCU star who was asked about RDJ’s comeback is Jeremy Renner, who starred alongside Downey Jr. in multiple Avengers movies (and Captain America: Civil War).
While Renner is excited about the idea, he thinks his pal RDJ is a “son of a b—-” for how he handled it as he kept it a secret from the “original six” Avengers and their famed group chat: Renner, Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth.
“I had no idea. The son of a b—- didn’t say anything to me! We’re good friends. There’s the Avengers family chat. The original six. He said not a peep. I got online and started blowing up his phone like, ‘What’s going on? You’ve been hiding this from us the whole time?’ It’s exciting news. I’m really, really excited about it,” Renner told US Weekly.
As has been widely reported, Downey Jr. is set to make more than $80 million for his starring role as Doctor Doom in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars (and likely a handful of cameos elsewhere). In addition to the behemoth paycheck, Marvel will also provide the 59-year-old Academy Award winner with private jet travel, dedicated security, and a “trailer encampment.”
At this time, Avengers: Doomsday — slated as Downey Jr’s official debut as Doom — is scheduled to hit movie theaters on May 1, 2026. It’s likely, however, that RDJ will make his MCU re-debut before that. If we had to guess, we suspect he’ll appear in a cameo capacity either during The Fantastic Four: First Steps or its post-credit scene when it hits theaters next July.