Deadpool and Wolverine rumored to have almost brought back Robert Downey Jr. in the weirdest way

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a hot topic ever since he last donned the Iron Man suit in Avengers: Endgame back in 2019. Recent announcements have confirmed that he will be stepping back into the spotlight as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, creating considerable buzz among fans eager to see how he’ll re-enter the MCU. However, his much-anticipated return has a twist: it was initially linked to Deadpool & Wolverine.

At Comic-Con, it was revealed that Tony Stark would have a connection to Deadpool 3, with Jon Favreau reprising his role as Happy Hogan in the film’s opening scene. Interestingly, Downey was in talks for a post-credits cameo, but he wasn’t set to play either Iron Man or Doctor Doom. Instead, the original plan involved him appearing as himself, which would have made for a unique but risky crossover moment.

This concept of Downey appearing as himself isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility, especially in the context of Deadpool’s self-referential humor. Ryan Reynolds had previously portrayed himself in a Deadpool 2 post-credits scene, leading to speculation about the implications of Downey doing the same. However, many fans expressed relief that this cameo didn’t happen, feeling that it might undermine the significance of his actual return as Doctor Doom.

One Reddit user articulated a common sentiment, stating, “I would have been mad disappointed if they blew the return of Tony Stark on a throwaway joke Deadpool post-credit scene.” This echoes the broader concern that such a gimmick could distract from the gravity of Downey’s comeback, especially with Doomsday and Secret Wars set to be released in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

By not including Downey in a throwaway gag, Marvel Studios seems to be prioritizing a meaningful return for the character, ensuring that his next appearances resonate with audiences in a more profound way. As excitement builds for both Doomsday and Secret Wars, it seems that sometimes the anticipation makes the eventual payoff all the more rewarding.