It’s a wild time for Marvel fans, with timelines getting messier than ever! In a surreal twist of events reminiscent of Robin Williams in Jumanji, 2024 has seen Hugh Jackman reprise his role as Wolverine alongside an ensemble of beloved characters like Wesley Snipes’ Blade, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, and Chris Evans’ Human Torch. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in not one but two upcoming Avengers movies, directed by the Russo brothers.
Downey will don a new guise as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, set to release in 2026, marking a significant shift from his iconic Iron Man persona. Although filming is still a bit off, excitement is already brewing. Recently, Downey met up with Jessica Alba, the original Invisible Woman, in New York City, where she shared selfies of their reunion on Instagram, praising his immense talent.
The internet exploded with fan reactions, with many expressing delight at this unexpected Marvel crossover. Comments ranged from nostalgic sentiments about their past roles to lighthearted jokes about Alba’s on-screen husband, Reed Richards, possibly being jealous of her camaraderie with Doom.
Some fans were taken aback by Downey’s appearance, with comments highlighting how he seemed to be morphing into Hugh Jackman, leading to playful speculation about a “Hugh-ification” process. Others joked that he must possess “Benjamin Button genes” given his seemingly ageless looks.
As Downey prepares for his transformation into Victor Von Doom, fans wonder if he’ll spend much of his time under a metal mask, allowing for a stunt performer to carry the physicality of the character—similar to Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian.
With the MCU expanding further, Downey could potentially make an appearance as Doom in next year’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, introducing Vanessa Kirby as the new Invisible Woman. Alba’s strong friendship with Downey raises the possibility of her reprising her role as Sue Storm, especially with the upcoming Secret Wars on the horizon. As always, the Marvel universe remains a thrilling landscape of surprises and nostalgia, keeping fans on the edge of their seats!