Robert Downey Jr. will officially return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Doctor Doom, appearing in the upcoming Avengers 5. However, there are still many rumors about whether he will only play Doctor Doom this time. Recently, entertainment insider Jeff Sneider revealed on the podcast The Hot Mic that Downey might don the Iron Man suit again in the future, returning to this classic role.
Sneider first addressed recent news that Dan Trachtenberg, director of Predator: Badlands, is in talks with Marvel to direct a new film. Although speculation suggests this project could be a new Wolverine or Blade standalone movie, Sneider believes neither is likely Trachtenberg's target. Instead, he speculates that this unannounced film could be Iron Man 4.
Sneider also predicted that Downey might reprise his role as Iron Man in another Marvel film before the official release of Iron Man 4. He believes that the next Avengers series film, Avengers 6: Secret Wars, is the most likely stage for Tony Stark's return.
In fact, this is not the first time rumors have linked Downey's Iron Man to Avengers: Secret Wars. Previously leaked script spoilers claimed that Downey might play both Doctor Doom and a version of Tony Stark from another universe who has become disillusioned with reality. The latter could ultimately help other superheroes fight against Doctor Doom, who rules the multiverse. If Sneider's prediction holds true, the plot he mentioned might be precisely this storyline from earlier rumors.
