There's been a lot of emotional Marvel scenes over the years, like when MJ doesn’t remember Peter Parker at all in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, or Steve Rogers' last appearance as an old man in Avengers: Endgame. However, to me, nothing signified a shift in Marvel's tone more blatantly than Tom Holland’s death scene in Avengers: Infinity War. While it was only a temporary departure of that character, it was still extremely emotional, and truly one of the most memorable scenes in the MCU. Now, Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about filming the scene in 2017, and the acting chops Holland had that blew everyone away.

Downey and directors Joe and Anthony Russo opened up about filming Infinity War with CBR. At the time, it was a truly uncertain point for multiple MCU characters, as half of them disintegrated at the end of the film, with the future of their characters in question. Chris Pratt nobly volunteered to go first, infusing some humor into his death scene, but they also wanted to have a more gut-wrenching death as well. Thankfully, Holland was up for the task. Downey explained:

Not only did Holland’s performance break the hearts of the audience members who saw Infinity War in theaters, but it also broke the hearts of the Russo Brothers. They admitted to crying at the monitor during this scene because Holland’s boyish innocence made them think about their own kids. Downey also noted that this kind of emotional performance was a key for him to take a step back with his own, and let Holland command the scene. He said:

Joe Russo explained that while Holland had words like “I’m sorry” and “I don’t feel so good” in the script, direction really helped him get all the way there. He told Holland that his character, Peter Parker, was only 16 years old and wasn’t ready to go. The actor may now be playing Peter in his 30s, but Holland was only 21 when they were filming Infinity War. He took the note and delivered a gut-wrenching, childlike performance as he held Tony Stark, played by Downey. The Oscar winner was beyond impressed by the performance from such a young actor, saying:

It truly is a masterclass in acting. In that moment, the tone shifts completely, and the audience understands the true gravity of the situation. The heroes lost, and now they are dying. It also totally sets the tone for the dark place Avengers: Endgame stars in, raising the stakes for everything to come, including real character deaths that are even more permanent, like the passing of Black Widow and Tony Stark himself. It is a scene that rarely gets its flowers, and I’m glad this trio took the time to give Holland the praise he deserves for this performance.

You can revisit Tom Holland’s gut-wrenching performance in Avengers: Infinity War with a Disney+ subscription. Fans can also look forward to Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday, which hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

Robert Downey Jr. got the best deal one could get out of his Iron Man tenure. He helped start the MCU and told a complete and very satisfying arc for the superhero across many years. I wouldn’t blame him if he was never in another one of the upcoming Marvel movies ever again. Yet, here he is, back to play Doctor Doom in the latest MCU flick Avengers: Doomsday. And he even picked the new role over Tony Stark when he was just asked to choose? This guy is full of surprises.

RDJ was just in Anaheim, California on August 14 for D23 to promote his Marvel film coming out on the 2026 movie calendar. During an interview, he was asked to pick between Iron Man and Doctor Doom. Here’s how he responded:

As Robert Downey Jr shared with Good Morning America, it was “weird” for him to be on the other side of a superhero movie now as a villain. And yet, he did like the change of pace. While shooting Doomsday, he didn’t necessarily like to be the guy all the other characters are against. However, he also ended up enjoying the different perspective, too.

Apparently, being under the helmet allowed him to get to know more of the cast, and really revel in the presence and performances of “everybody else.” I find this to be a super unexpected answer from Downey, and ultimately 20 years from now I have to wonder if he’ll say the same thing. However, I do like his reasoning.

After all, as Iron Man, he probably had a lot more on his shoulders work-wise. Since Doctor Doom seems to be the reason why all the heroes are brought together rather than the main character that Iron Man was, it sounds like RDJ appreciated sitting back a bit more and letting them shine. And the cast is brilliant, so I don’t blame him.

Downey’s words come as D23 debuted a special look at Avengers: Doomsday that was previously only for the eyes of SDCC Marvel Hall H attendees. Check it out:

As we wait for Doomsday, I can’t help but have questions about how RDJ being both Iron Man and Doctor Doom will be handled narratively. Also, who else will be joining the cast that we don’t know about? At D23, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds had a message that’s making me wonder if they’ll be part of it, too, for example.

We’ll find out officially and get to see Downey in this new role when Avengers:Doomsday hits theaters on December 18.

It’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day week, but lately, I’ve been thinking a lot more about the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: Doomsday. Between the new trailer dropping online and seeing fresh footage at SDCC’s Hall H presentation, my excitement for the release has really grown. But there are a couple of brain-scratchers I have surrounding Robert Downey Jr. and his Doctor Doom. Let’s get into it.

When Will The Helmet Come Off?

Ever since it was announced that RDJ was coming back to the MCU, I’ve been intrigued. It could be genius if they choose the right moment to reveal the face of Iron Man as the next great villain for the Avengers. I mean, especially after Tony was the one who saved everyone!! So far, Robert Downey Jr’s face has remained completely masked in all the footage I’ve seen of Doomsday, and I’m all for it. I can’t stop thinking about when he might show himself to the Avengers.

If it wasn’t for Marvel Studios making sure we all knew it was the fan-favorite actor, I wouldn’t know it was him at all. There must be a moment when Doctor Doom will be unmasked, and the Avengers will see Tony Stark’s face in front of them in our futures. I’m starting to think that this won’t happen until Secret Wars, but my big question remains. When will they decide to uncover this secret to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?

If/When It Does, Will It Include These Key Avengers?

Because I love the drama, I would like the moment to happen when one of Tony Stark’s closest friends is present. Currently, none of them are technically confirmed for Doomsday. Isn’t that crazy?

Let’s start with Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers/Captain America. He’s in the movie, but he seems to be from another variant. His identity hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I’m definitely less excited to see Steve meet RDJ’s Doctor Doom without them having the same history.

The other two characters I would want to be present are Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner/Hulk. Both of them were just in Brand New Day, and I don’t expect them to be in Doomsday at the moment. Hey, I could be wrong; there’s a new Doomsday cameo rumor every other day, but the things are being marketed so far, I’m starting to get less excited about the Doctor Doom reveal with the information in front of me.

Should I Change My Expectations About RDJ's Doctor Doom?

With these two questions in mind, now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t even expect a reveal like this. Maybe RDJ is playing Doctor Doom, but they’re not going to really make the variant aspect a whole thing? As I type this, I don’t believe that’s possible, but what if it was? What if RDJ decided to come into work to be Doctor Doom, and not play the Tony Stark card?

I have four and a half more months to think about this, so who knows where my head will go. As curious as I am, I do hope that Marvel Studios does keep this reveal out of the marketing, though. Doomsday hits theaters on December 18.

Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the role of Victor von Doom a.k.a. Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Of course, the last time Downey appeared in an MCU flick, he was playing Iron Man, and the beloved hero sacrificed himself at the end of Avengers: Endgame. It’s a watershed moment in the continuity, but it turns out Stark's demise actually could’ve happened in a different movie. So, now, I have some questions following this major revelation.

Tony Stark’s Original Death Was To Happen In Another Massive MCU Film

Let’s be real, Downey’s Stark found himself in more than a few precarious situations throughout the Multiverse Saga, from his encounter with Obadiah Stane to the Avengers’ war with Ultron. However, the battle between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Thanos was particularly intense, and fans more than got a taste of that back in 2018 when Infinity War hit theaters. And, believe it or not, that’s the film co-director Joe Russo said was initially meant to feature Stark’s death, and he and Downey had a funny-back-and-forth about it:

• Joe Russo: This happens a lot in these rooms, right? We try to... I'm feeling the heat now. We try to investigate. We try to investigate all angles, right? Everything's up for grabs. We always say, ‘Best idea wins.’ And a lot of the times you gotta stretch…
• Robert Downey Jr.: It's mine.
• Russo: We have to stretch…
• Downey: Mine is just, ‘Don't kill me.’

Consider me pleasantly surprised by all this! The revelation, which was revealed during a sit-down interview held by CBR, coincided with the eighth anniversary of Infinity War’s release. It’s interesting to hear that Joe Russo and brother/co-director Anthony considered having Stark die in that particular movie, though I guess it tracks, considering there’s a scene in which Thanos stabs Tony through his armor only for him to survive. As for why the Russos eventually decided against it, Joe said:

It sounds like it all came down to the Russos possibly being faced with the challenge of having to include Stark in Endgame posthumously. All in all, I’m glad they settled on their chosen direction, especially since it would’ve robbed us of Stark’s eventual sacrifice, but I still have some questions.

What Are Some Questions To Consider About This “What If” Scenario?

For starters, when exactly was Stark’s death going to take place in Infinity War? I mean, would it have been the moment he was stabbed by Thanos on Titan? Of course, there’s also the possibility that he could’ve died in a totally different way that might not have involved Thanos at all. I find it very interesting that Joe Russo doesn’t divulge any specifics, but that may be due to his desire to have fans speculate as I’m doing right now.

Something I also want to know is whether Robert Downey Jr. was aware of his character’s initial fate during the development process. And, if he knew, I’d love to know how he felt. It’s unclear based on this conversation, but I get the feeling Downey wouldn’t have been too pleased, considering the comments he’s sharing now.

Regardless of any of that, though, I’d say everything worked out just as it should’ve. And, in any case, Downey still has the opportunity to further spread his wings by way of his villainous character. I wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall and watched Downey work on set. Here’s hoping that Doom’s introduction is glorious and that Tony Stark’s memory is preserved within the MCU amid his cohort’s latest battle.

Fans can check out Stark’s sacrifice by streaming Avengers: Endgame with a Disney+ subscription. Also, see Robert Downey Jr. return in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18 amid the 2026 movie schedule.

It's no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, consistently putting out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But OG fans who have watched the Marvel movies in order will remember that back when Iron Man was released back in 2008, it a risky new experiment in filmmaking. I thought that Robert Downey Jr. had to fight for his role as Tony Stark due to his troubled past, but director Jon Favreau painted another picture.

Moviegoers are always looking forward to upcoming Marvel movies, but there's often more information coming out about the past as well. Case in point: Favreau's recent Vanity Fair video breaking down his career, including the original Iron Man movie. He spoke about fighting for RDJ's casting, offering:

I always thought that the resistance to Robert Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark was related to his past with addiction. But that seemingly wasn't the case; instead it was about the studio not wanting to pay an A-lister who they thought would be hidden under a mask for most of the movie. Of course, we know how much the Oscar-winning actor's charisma and charm defined the character for years.

In the same video, Jon Favreau spoke more about the resistance to RDJ's casting as Iron Man. He already in the midst of his career comeback at the time, including roles in projects like Charlie Bartlett, Zodiac, and The Shaggy Dog. The director went on to share:

Yeah, my mind is blown. Robert Downey Jr. was 43 when he debuted as Tony Stark in Iron Man, and it sounds like some folks thought he was a little long in the tooth. That's wild considering how long he played the role, and the fact that RDJ is returning as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday at age 61.

In the end the Sherlock Holmes actor fought for his signature role, including coming in to do a camera test. As Jon Favreau put it:

Indeed, Robert Downey Jr.'s audition tape is available to watch online. Despite not actually landing the role yet he had the signature wit and swagger that Tony Stark became known for. And it's clear that the studio ultimately made the right decision in casting their first MCU hero; it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the role at this point.

The Iron Man franchise is streaming now on Disney+, and RDJ will return to the MCU when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Although this time he'll be playing a new role as the villainous Doctor Doom.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe might be a behemoth nowadays, but it all started with Jon Favreau's Iron Man (streaming with a Disney+ subscription). Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know it all started with that movie, which also served as Robert Downey Jr.'s big comeback. The director/actor recently spoke about the "smart thing" he did in that 2008 blockbuster, and he makes some serious points.

Although fans like me are always looking toward upcoming Marvel movies, they love information about previous installments. While promoting his new Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jon Favreau addressed how important it ended up being that he cast himself in the role of Happy Hogan. In his words:

Talk about a work bonus. While it was exciting enough to get behind the camera for Iron Man, Favreau couldn't have predicted how giant the Marvel Cinematic Universe would eventually become. And since Happy Hogan was introduced in the very first movie, his ongoing role in the shared universe has resulted in consistent paychecks for the multihyphenate, enough that he was able to put his kids through school with them. Good thing he didn't decide to give someone else that small role in the film.

While Happy Hogan won't be in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Jon Favreau has played that role in all three Iron Man movies, as well as the first three Spider-Man films, Avengers: Endgame, and a recent role in Deadpool & Wolverine. That's a ton of gigs, none of which would happen if he didn't give himself the role of Tony Stark's bodyguard, chauffeur, and friend.

While Jon Favreau consistently works as a director and producer, it sounds like his ongoing acting gig as Happy Hogan helped provide a very specific financial purpose with his family. And while he's not expected to appear in Spider-Man Brand New Day after No Way Home's twist ending, it feels like only a matter of time before Happy returns to the big screen for one reason or another. Perhaps he'll end up with a role in either Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars. We'll have to wait and see given Marvel's tight security.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we'll get to see Favreau back on screen in the MCU sooner rather than later.

In the years since Iron Man died in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. has reached a new height of success. That’s because, a few years after he left the MCU as Iron Man, he took a role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which earned him an Oscar. Now, as RDJ prepares to play Doctor Doom, Kevin Feige has opened up about why they decided to bring him back for the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: Doomsday. And yes, it does relate to the Academy Award-winning movie the actor made after he said goodbye to Tony Stark.

Ever since it was revealed that Downey was going to play Victor Von Doom in the MCU, I’ve been wondering why they cast him. While I love the choice, RDJ is synonymous with Tony Stark, so why have him play a new character? Well, now that we’re getting closer to Doomsday’s release on the 2026 movie schedule, Marvel boss Kevin Feige is providing some more details to this answer. Telling EW about when they started forming this idea, he recalled how Downey's performance in the 2023 film Oppenheimer inspired them:

Listen, anything is possible in the multiverse, so why not, right? I totally see what they’re saying, too. Robert Downey Jr. is one of the all-time greats, and that’s in part thanks to his work in both the MCU as Iron Man and Oppenheimer. So, yeah, it tracks that if you want to get an all-time great to play your villain, you should maybe give this guy a call.

I also think it’s worth noting that for a very long time, we got to watch Downey play a hero on the big screen. People loved his take on Tony Stark, and Iron Man was a fundamental part of the Avengers and the MCU in general. Then, we got to see a whole other side of his range in Oppenheimer.

In Christopher Nolan’s biopic about the father of the atomic bomb, Downey played Lewis Strauss. He was the primary antagonist of the film, and RDJ turned in a nuanced performance that was not carried by the charisma and wit that helped make him so beloved as Tony Stark. It was far more dramatic than we’re used to when it comes to him, and ultimately, he served as a brilliant foil to Cillian Murphy’s J. Robert Oppenheimer. Both men took home Oscars for their performances, and the film won many other awards at the 2024 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

In short, Nolan’s movie gave audiences a chance to see Robert Downey Jr. do something totally new and different as an actor.

It also proved that he is one of the best, and I hope that’s what Avengers: Doomsday will do too. Downey is clearly excited about it, with his Doctor Doom-inspired outfits and his coining of the term “Dunesday” to celebrate the fact that his Marvel movie comes out on the same day as Dune: Part Three. Kevin Feige is clearly thrilled about it, too, especially since they got the Oppenheimer actor to come back to the MCU for it.

So, now, to see Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, you can catch Avengers: Doomsday in theaters on December 18. In the meantime, you can go back and watch the performances that made him one of the best of the best by streaming the Marvel movies in order with a Disney+ subscription and buying or renting Oppenheimer.

In 2013, Ryan Coogler made his filmmaking debut with Fruitvale Station. It kicked off a professional career that delivered him his first Academy Award earlier this month, winning the Best Original Screenplay category for his work on Sinners. But five years before Fruitvale Station’s release, and 10 years before he delivered Black Panther to the world, Coogler wasn’t anywhere close to being famous. And yet, he still had an interesting encounter with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Tony Stark actor Robert Downey Jr. at an Iron Man event.

Ryan Coogler recalled this while speaking with Feige and Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy at the dedication celebration for USC’s Kevin Feige Division of Film & Television Production for its School of Cinematic Art (via THR). This is the same event where Feige talked about the last time he saw Chadwick Boseman, and earlier in the evening, Coogler wound the clock back further to talk about when he saw Iron Man during its opening weekend at Hollwood’s Arclight. At one point, he left to use the bathroom, but then was locked out of the theater by security because they were making way for three special guests to appear ahead of the screening:

Don’t worry, Ryan Coogler was able to get back into the theater. Frankly, if I was in his shoes and had been kept out, I’d have been mad about missing out on not just seeing Robert Downey Jr., Kevin Feige and director Jon Favreau, but also not getting to see one of the biggest summer blockbusters of 2008. But thankfully Coogler avoided that and had a good time watching Downey entertain the audience and Iron Man itself:

Less than a decade later, Ryan Coogler would find himself following in Jon Favreau’s footsteps in directing a Marvel movie. Following the success of Creed in 2015, Coogler was tapped to helm Black Panther, which pushed Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa to center stage after he was introduced in Captain America: Civil War. He then returned for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but his original plans for the sequel needed to be overhauled following Boseman’s death. So Letitia Wright’s Shuri inherited the Black Panther mantle, and we’ll see her back in action when Avengers: Doomsday arrives to the 2026 movies schedule.

Looking further ahead into the future, Ryan Coogler is turning his attention next to Black Panther 3, and Sinners actor Delroy Lindo has expressed interested in being added to the cast. The threequel doesn’t have a release date on the upcoming Marvel movies slate yet, but MCU fans can look forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day hitting theaters on July 31 ahead of Doomsday’s December release.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an ever-changing place, thanks to new releases hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will finally catch up with Peter Parker after No Way Home's ending. And after we got the movie's first footage, there are tons of fans comparing Peter to Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark.

What we know about Spider-Man 4 has been limited, but fans were thrilled when Brand New Day's first trailer finally arrived. One shot in particular quickly went viral: Peter in a black tank top. On top of showing off Tom Holland's superhero body, it also harkened back to an early MCU scene with Tony Stark. As one tweet pointed out:

So what exactly is being referenced here, besides Holland's massive arms? Specifically, a scene in Iron Man 3 (which is totally a Christmas movie) where Tony Stark is shown working on his armor in a black tank top. Another viral tweet about this subject shows the sequence of Robert Downey Jr., check it out below:

I've got to admit I totally see the resemblance. Add in Tony's mentorship role to Peter throughout the MCU, and this parallel feels particularly powerful. A ton of fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have made this connection, and are sharing similar posts on social media. For example:

While Peter Parker's guardian was Marisa Tomei's Aunt May, it's hard to deny that Tony became a father figure for the wall crawler. This is what made Tom Holland's reaction to Tony Stark's death in Avengers: Endgame so powerful. And I have to wonder if this black tank top connection was accidental or a purposeful bit of repetition by the costume department of Brand New Day.

The Spider-Man trailer had big moments like the inclusion of Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, so it's surprising that a black tank top has made this much of a splash. There are a ton of tweets pointing out this connection to Tony Stark, as you can see below:

Tom Holland's Peter Parker was introduced in Captain America: Civil War, recruited by Tony Stark to join his team during the tarmac battle. He'd go on to mentor the young hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming and go to space with him in Avengers: Infinity War. Their relationship was super captivating, and unfortunately, cut short due to the battle against Thanos. Another tweet reads:

All of this chatter about Tony and Peter has me super curious to see if Tom Holland ends up appearing in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars. Since Robert Downey Jr. is playing Doctor Doom, an evil variant of Stark, I would love to see Spider-Man's reaction to his mentor suddenly being a multiversal villain. Hopefully, he gets confirmed for one of The Russo Brothers' blockbusters sooner rather than later.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will hit theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see if there are more connections to Tony Stark throughout its runtime.

For years, I’d been riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and getting a wee bit queasy. (In fact that ride is known to be vomit-inducing by Universal Orlando staff.) Because of this, when I found out Epic Universe was getting another ride with a Kuka arm, I was a little nervous. Turns out, I needn’t have been, as Monsters Unchained became my favorite attraction at the new theme park, and now, Disneyland seems to be following suit.

Recently, Disneyland released an official video showing off the new ride testing for its latest upcoming attraction: Stark Flight Lab. We’ve known for over a year the ride would incorporate Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark, but this is the first time we’ve gotten a BTS look at human testing for the ride. Though now that I’ve seen it, it’s clearly giving Monsters: Unchained.

I’m not the only one who thinks so either, as the comments section on this Disney Food Blog post is giving out similar vibes. In fact, theme park fans were all over this comparison in the comments.

• Looks like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios…?
• Hopefully doesn’t make me as sick lol. Monsters Unchained at least didn’t make me as sick as FJ. 🙏🏻
• This reminds me of Monsters Unchained at Epic Universe! Which is a great ride! Would love to see something similar at Disney!
• Universal much?

Though, it’s worth noting a lot of fans are pointing out what seem to be the differences, as well, including the fact these seem to be single person arms instead of a group ride cart, though original renderings had two people in the “gyrokinetic pods.”

• The concept renderings show the arms are completely stationary and your seat/vehicle moves around a little track to where the arm picks you up, swings you around, and put you back on the track.
• It’s the same kind of arm system, but it’ll be interesting to see how it’s used for this ride because I believe it’s being put on a roller coaster type track for more thrill.
• So it’s Monster’s Unchained and Harry Potter for one person??
• Everyone saying that this looks like the universal rides, no it doesn’t because this is literally the entire ride, there’s no set and no screens. It’s just swinging around on this that’s the whole ride.

One thing Disneyland's best attractions always do an excellent job with is theming, and I’m 100% sure Stark Flight Lab will not be giving similar vibes to either of Universal’s awesome attractions Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experience. Ultimately, it’s clear we don’t really know enough about what exactly the rid will entail, though I will say I hope the arm’s flight path gives more Monsters Unchained rotation than Potter, because the new ride is definitely much smoother than the OG, no hate to the Hogwarts-set attraction.

We do know the ride will be transporting Marvel and theme park fans from the arm to a track as part of Tony Stark’s testing station. It will be set in California Adventure’s Avengers Campus (duh) and is unlikely to open this year, though Disneyland has not confirmed an opening date for the ride, yet.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always growing, thanks to new projects hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will feature Robert Downey Jr's return to the MCU. Epic fan art imagined him as both Doctor Doom and a Venom-infused Iron Man. Let's break it all down.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, so fans are filling in the blanks with rumors, theories, and fan art about what might be happening. Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are curious about what RDJ will be up to, and some epic fan art on Instagram imagined not one but two versions of the Oscar winning actor. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? While there's no indication that Doomsday will have a tie to the Venom movies, now that's exactly what I want to see what happens. I mean, who doesn't want to see a hero like Iron Man get a symbiote upgrade in the forthcoming blockbuster? Sign me up.

The above fan art offered just one of many possibilities that might play out in Doomsday. Marvel has notoriously tight security, which is why there's so many theories and rumors about what might go down. That includes seeing Robert Downey Jr. have a scene with himself, as both Doctor Doom and Iron Man.

The Avengers: Doomsday cast list confirmed entire teams of heroes that will appear, presumably to unite and battle RDJ's Doom. That includes the Avengers, new Avengers aka Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four and even the OG stars of the X-Men movies. Venom has been noticeably missing from the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, so fans would likely lose their minds if symbiotes were included in the action of The Russo Brothers' next Avengers movie.

After Iron Man died in Avengers: Endgame, it looked like Robert Downey Jr.'s tenure in the MCU was over for good. That's why news of his return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars broke the internet. Fans are hyped to see his villainous side, and minds will be blown if the Oppenheimer actor actually gets a scene opposite himself. Fingers crossed that it actually happens... regardless of whether or not a Venom connection is also included.

Since the studio is keeping the secrets of Avengers: Doomsday, the theories and fan art is likely going to continue for the foreseeable future. Robert Downey Jr.'s inclusion is a big reason why anticipation has bee buoyed, and we'll have to see what he actually gets up to in high return to the shared universe.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get the first footage sooner rather than later.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, methodically releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how things began with Jon Favreau's Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. And the latter actress' description of what it's like to film Marvel movies is honestly so on brand. Let's break it all down.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but fans are wondering if Paltrow might return as Pepper Potts. While we wait to see if whether or not she appears in the upcoming Marvel movie, the actress/Goop creator spoke to LA Times about her tenure in the MCU. As she put it:

Well, that was honest. While Marvel blockbusters have long and grueling hours as well as complicated action sequences, the Oscar-winning actress makes it seem like a breeze. Mostly because she's able to step back into character as Pepper Potts so easily thanks to how long she's played that character. And after all, her most recent appearances in the shared universe have largely been cameos rather than starring roles.

Paltrow famously forgot she was in Spider-Man: Homecoming, so her nonchalant way of describing her work in the MCU feels very much on brand. She's simply not phased by the share universe and its lore the way that fans are. So while other actors have to bulk up and shoot for months, Paltrow simply said "it's not that difficult." The comments remind me of Elle Woods famously saying "What, like it's hard?" in Legally Blonde.

While fans are wondering if Paltrow will appear in Doomsday, the 53 year-old actress returned to acting in a significant way opposite Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme. In the same interview, she shared the nerves she had when starting to shoot that film, saying:

Given Paltrow's long resume and Academy Award, it might be surprising that she had these nerves ahead of working on Marty Supreme. But aside from a few Marvel appearances and The Politician (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription) she hasn't done all that much acting in recent years. Luckily she found a way to overcome these nerves, and broke the internet after shooting a kissing scene with Chalamet.

Paltrow's tenure a Pepper Potts is currently streaming on Disney+, and Marty Supreme will hit theaters December 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list. We'll just have to see if/when she returns to the MCU.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to exciting new titles arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt, the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will feature Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the shared universe. The Oscar-winning actor recently posted a Marvel-themed Thanksgiving post, and fans are freaking out in the comments.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, and fans are looking for any clues that might indicate what the Russo Brothers have up their sleeves. So when RDJ posted a Turkey Day image on Instagram, fans wondered if he was teasing the battle to come. Check out the post below:

This cute image shows the hands of both Iron Man and Doctor Doom fighting over a wishbone. It's a cute holiday-themed image, showing both of the characters RDJ played in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although what could just be a fun post soon became a breeding ground for fan theories surrounding Avengers: Doomsday.

Downey shared this image to his whopping 57 million Instagram followers, plenty of whom ended up making their voices known in the comments section. The responses were a mix of confusion and hope that we'll see Iron Man and Doctor Doom face off in the next Avengers movie, with both of the characters being played by the same actor. Check out the comments below:

• Iron Man vs Doctor Doom in Doomsday?!? - therealdoomblaze
• Iron Man is definitely coming back in Secret Wars - thereali.c.e999
• am I the only one who doesn’t know what this means - ambersl8r
• RDJ AS IRON MAN AND DR. DOOM!!!🔥💯❤️💚 - jjjxmmi
• Jarvis, skip to the Doomsday premiere - naelalves9

Of course, it's entirely possible that this was just a fun post for RDJ to share on Thanksgiving. But since Marvel's security is so tight, some fans are looking for any clue about what's going to go down in the next two Avengers movies. It's safe to say that Downey's inclusion is helping to buoy excitement for those mysterious blockbusters.

While Robert Downey Jr. was announced to be playing Doctor Doom in the next Avengers movies thanks to the multiverse, some fans are also hoping he gets to suit back up as Tony Stark. But following Iron Man's death in Endgame, it's unclear if the studio is willing to mess with that beloved character's ending.

There are countless questions about what's coming in the next Avengers movie, including how many characters Robert Downey Jr. will be playing. The Doomsday cast announcement revealed entire teams of heroes will be present, although Kevin Feige teased that it wasn't the full list of characters. And with the multiverse, it feels like just about anything is possible.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters next December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Since it's more than a year away, we might have to try and be patient while waiting for concrete information about this title. Good luck to us all.

Over the years, Gwyneth Paltrow has been in seven Marvel movies, starting with the MCU film that ushered in the franchise, 2008’s Iron Man. Back in 2019 the actress seemingly said goodbye to the MCU when she appeared as Pepper Potts in Avengers: Endgame, but per recent comments, we could see her in one of the upcoming Marvel movies on the way. As a fan of the comic book universe since the beginning, I have an idea of where and how I’d like to see her if it does happen.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Name-Dropped Marvel In Recent Appearance

The actress and Goop CEO was a keynote speaker at Providence’s Brown University over the weekend, which her son Moses Martin currently attends. During a question and answer portion of the event she said the following about “future projects”, The Brown Daily Herald:

That’s the scope of what we know about Paltrow and how she might return to the MCU, but how exciting is that should the “might” become a reality? Currently, it’s been over six years since Potts’ last appearance in the superhero franchise.

Paltrow’s history talking about the MCU over the years has had an interesting past. She has gushed about how much she loved working with Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau on the first movie (despite her distaste for her wig), but has also been honest about never actually watching an Avengers movie. She’s also forgotten she was in Spider-Man: Homecoming on multiple occasions. But it looks like that doesn’t mean she’ll never answer the call to return to her iconic character.

How I’d Like To See Pepper Potts Return To The MCU

Because Pepper Potts will forever be associated with Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, and RDJ is officially coming back to the MCU next year as a part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, I’d like to see Paltrow return alongside her real-life friend in some capacity. I have two perfect ideas about how I’d like to see it happen.

The first is, I’d like to see her help the Avengers take down Downey’s Doctor Doom perhaps with some interpersonal thing she knows about her late husband that somehow connects with Downey's two MCU characters. Using Iron Man technology against him would be kind of bittersweet because it's like she's fighting her husband, and could also be a beautiful tribute to their legacy on the Iron Man trilogy.

The other idea I have is if Gwyneth Paltrow plays another character in the MCU from Downey’s Doctor Doom universe just like him. That would be a fun way to see the pair together, but bring us something different from the dynamic we remember from Stark and Potts in their other MCU movies. I’m thinking about the upcoming Avengers movies, but I could also see her making a cameo in the next Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day. As it goes with the MCU, the secrecy is strong. Who knows, maybe she's already filmed it!

Speaking as a fan of new superhero movies, Tony Stark, Iron Man, has one of the coolest superhero movie costumes in all of fandom. Honestly, the movie improves on the comic design, in my opinion, which is why it is a cosplay mainstay. There’s cosplay, and then there’s whatever this sorcery is. A football fan rolled into the stadium wearing a working Iron Man Mask, yes, it even opens and closes like Tony Stark’s — complete with motorized panels and glowing eyes — and my brain has been on loop ever since. Seriously, I cannot stop watching the awesome video.

The short clip, which you can see below, comes from Bleacher Report’s X account, which captured a Cowboys fan mid-game flexing a silver-and-blue, Cowboys-branded Iron Man lid that deploys its faceplate with a slick, mechanical flourish. It’s the Marvel–NFL mashup I didn’t know I needed, and now I can’t stop replaying it. Also, can I get it in Chief’s Yellow and Red? Please.

In six glorious seconds, we see the helmet’s segmented faceplate lift and fold back as if Jarvis were on standby. The eyes pop with LEDs, the fit looks snug, and the whole thing is styled like Cowboys armor — star logos on the cheeks, metallic panels that match the team palette, and a finish that looks more garage-lab than store-bought in the best way.

Predictably, fans (myself included) went feral–both positive, and not so much. Here are some of the absolute best reactions to the video:

• “Jarvis, miss the playoffs” – @rabbitSZN2
• “Guy has probably gotten more enjoyment from the mask than watching the actual football team” – @NvictusManeo
• “Cowboys fans don’t know what to spend their money on, same as the owners 🤣” – @RafMetaX
• “@grok how much did this cost?” – @MikeHustle601
• “😅😅😅😅I hate the Cowboys but this is 🔥” – @footballguy82
• “This is pretty dope I can’t lie” – @RobertSportsBet
• “I never knew I needed an Iron Man mask this bad” – @ladidaix
• “So many hating mf’s on a man who has something so dope wishing yall had this and put yalls team logo on it. Lol.” – @KRATOJIRO

Cowboys fans want one by next Sunday. And even if you’re not into “America’s Team,” let’s be honest — that helmet is one of the coolest things you’ve seen today. It’s a rare crossover that dodges the usual discourse and unites everyone around a single truth: gadgets are cool.

If you’re already plotting a build (same), there aren’t any official schematics. But if you or a buddy manages to craft one with a box of scraps in a cave, my DMs are open.

Fun symmetrical moment: Did you know that during their dynasty years, the Cowboys were famous for their Doomsday Defense? Meanwhile, the next upcoming Marvel movie starring Robert Downey Jr, is the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday, back in the mix this time as Doctor Doom, not Stark. Maybe the powers that be should call our “Iron Cowboy” (that one's free, Marvel) for some MCU Multiversal Saga shenanigans. Probably not… but the helmet still rules.

Football season is on—check the TV premiere schedule to see when your team plays. More Marvel than Monday Night? Avengers: Doomsday hits the 2026 movie schedule on December 18, 2026.

Robert Downey Jr. is coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday. It’s a big deal because no single actor is as responsible for the success of the MCU as Downey. Had the original Iron Man not been the success it was, the franchise likely wouldn’t be here today, and it’s incredible that the movie worked as well as it did, considering they were basically making it up as they went along.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark is absolutely one of the coolest characters in the MCU, and you can tell because he’s often wearing sunglasses, an accessory that he wears significantly more than most of his Avengers buddies. It turns out the reason for the glasses, at least in one key scene, was as much for function as fashion, as Downey once told Vanity Fair he wore them to hide the fact he was reading his lines. Downey said…

It’s unclear if Tony Stark's penchant for sunglasses was born entirely from this scene, or not, or if the continued use of sunglasses was done for the same reason, but it honestly wouldn’t be surprising. If Downey wasn’t originally going to be wearing sunglasses in a scene that takes place on a bright sunny day in the desert, then why would he in so many other scenes?

I had never come across this explanation before, and while it all makes perfect sense, it’s also sort of fascinating that this was something that needed to be done. For a franchise that would become revolutionary for the way that it seemed to put thought into creating connections between different characters and films, the first Iron Man wasn’t thought out in advance at all.

It makes the success of the film, as well as the franchise that would follow from it, all the more remarkable. The possibility of making a misstep is certainly increased if one doesn’t really have a plan. Clearly, however, what Favreau and Downey knew they wanted to make was exactly what it needed to be. Downey continued…

Considering the massive size of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, making up as they go along likely has not been an option. Still, fans will be excited to see Robert Downey Jr. again in a new Marvel movie, although considering his Doctor Doom mask, he’ll probably skip the sunglasses.

The next big MCU team-up is set to be The Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday. And, though the upcoming Marvel movie is currently deep in production, thanks to a fun video posted to his social media, we know the star playing the film's big bad, returning MCU star Robert Downey Jr, is in full vacation mode. I’m loving the behind-the-scenes look at the A-lister's good time. In addition to that, though, I have to admit, I love the Iron Man details fans spotted just a bit more.

Robert Downey Jr. just posted a fun video on his Instagram of him taking a morning walk on the beach. The entire clip is set to his son, Indio Downey’s, song, “Change of Scenery.” The caption from the Tony Stark actor reads, “What’s your summer #changeofscenery? Me = early morning beach walk. You = ???” Check out the full video below:

This was a proud dad moment, but what caught my attention even more were the eagle-eyed Marvel Cinematic Universe fans making significant connections to Iron Man. One fan account, @Drdoomarchive, took to X (formerly Twitter) to point out some interesting jewelry the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang actor was sporting in the video. The fan account posted: “the ring being the ARC REACTOR. also what is that pendant?” Why, it would appear so, and I love that sweet accessory.

Unsurprisingly, other fans are sharing comments as well. Let's take a look at some of the best replies, which have me really thinking about what’s possibly to come for the actor (who may or may not be sticking around for the long haul as Doom):

• @aliciapino: “And beard too”
• @catherinespaws: “It looks like either a skull or an iron man helmet”
• @mufcbecks7: “Tony stark lives forever”
• @Zeynubella1: “I think Iron Man helmet”

It may seem like a logical leap to some, especially considering the video in question is merely of the Oppenheimer star walking on the beach, which has sparked a ton of fan theories. However, can you really blame them? He’s rocking a full-on fire engine red (Iron Man’s fav) colored outfit and has Stark's classic goatee.

Some folks in the comments rightfully pointed out that the goatee is a pretty typical look for the Hollywood A-lister. Plus, he's sporting what appears to be an Iron Man helmet necklace and that aforementioned arc reactor ring. That’s quite a throwback to his iconic role, especially since we know he’s making a big return to the MCU as Victor Von Doom. But who knows? The wild theory would be that he's hinting at a multiverse version of Tony Stark!

Of course, it's hard to say if RDJ is actually dropping real-life easter eggs to get fans' hearts racing because there really is a connection between his beloved Tony Stark and his upcoming turn as a villain. It's also totally possible that he's sporting some fun Iron Man merch just for the heck of it. We’ll have to wait until the upcoming superhero movie hits theaters as part of the 2026 movie release schedule.

Robert Downey Jr returns to the MCU via Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to release on December 18, 2026. Before its release, consider watching all the Marvel movies in order with a Disney+ subscription.

Warning: spoilers for this MCU Phase 6 kickoff are in play.

Some of the best stories see the hero’s journey turned into something much darker. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2025 movies to a close, it also sets the stage for the upcoming Marvel movies of Phase 6 - and beyond. Which means Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are on the horizon, with Robert Downey Jr’s return as Doctor Doom promising a big bad for the ages.

Some people aren’t exactly thrilled with this casting, but I’m open to seeing how the former Iron Man star makes his big four-panel heel turn in 2026. You might not expect that, but part of my happiness comes from the parallels between Marvel Studios’ 2008 origin story and The Fantastic Four’s cinematic return. Let’s talk about why:

Reed Richards Perfectly Embodies Tony Stark's Guilty Genius

It figures that Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic patriarch would be the lighter mirror image to Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom. As we see throughout First Steps’ narrative, Reed Richards is conflicted about the fact that the space mission he and his family went on mutated them into their metahuman state. That’s the sort of guilt that Tony Stark has shouldered throughout the MCU, as both men expect themselves to think their way out of any scenario safely.

What really snapped this comparison together was the moment in The Fantastic Four: First Steps where the hero, also known as Mr. Fantastic, is called out by Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) for “baby proofing the world.” Hearing those words triggered memories of Avengers: Age of Ultron’s “suit of armor around the world” remarks that Tony Stark threw out.

Reed Tech Is The Stark Industries Of Earth 828

Quick question for you: who has a lavish New York tower that acts as a lab, headquarters, and living space to die for? If you answered, “the guy with the indispensable robotic assistant,” then you’ve proven my point.

Reed Richards also lives like Tony Stark, inventing a lot of the sorts of devices his Earth-616 counterpart (and his departed dad) would have dabbled in through decades of history. While it lacks the problematic arms dealing, ReedTech has the same sort of hold on Earth-828’s economy as Stark Industries does in its relative dimension.

Baby monitors, flying police cars, a ‘60s equivalent to hyperspace travel, and of course, teleportation are all part of the achievements The Fantastic Four’s alternate 1965 benefits from. Reed Richards and Tony Stark are practically corporate cousins at this point.

Johnny Storm Represents The More Casual Side Of Tony

Turning back to the more personality-based assessment of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, another strong parallel comes from Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm. The young heartthrob of the group, Johnny’s resemblance to Tony Stark’s mix of bravado, wisdom, and lady chasing is something we saw even before getting eyes on the full movie. You can thank the “Sunday Dinner” promo clip for that, which is shown below:

The entire family loves to “work the problem,” practically adopting the words “we’ll figure it out” as a motto. However, what pushes Johnny Storm over the line and into Tony territory is the fact that he tries to sacrifice himself to send Galactus (Ralph Ineson) into a wormhole intended to strand him.

Those of you with a Disney+ subscription who want to check my math, you can skip to the end of The Avengers, and compare that time Tony Stark tried to pull an Armageddon style sacrifice - but fell back to Earth in the nick of time.

The Fantastic Four Are Seemingly The First Superheroes Of Their Dimension

While the historical timeline in the MCU saw heroes such as the Eternals and Captain America pre-dating Iron Man’s big reveal, the release order saw Tony Stark building the foundation of this long-term juggernaut. Meanwhile, in Earth-828, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to place these heroes as the first meta-humans in their home base.

How else would you expect repeated primetime TV specials on The Ted Gilbert Show, celebrating their arrival? Besides, of course, an easy source of exposition that allowed The Fantastic Four: First Steps to make some challenging cuts.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark may not have been the first hero in his timeline, but he did inspire Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to revive The Avengers Initiative. After sitting in a desk drawer for at least 13 years (per Captain Marvel’s chain of events), Tony did help initiate the first incarnation of Earth’s mightiest heroes.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps Opens MCU Phase 6, It Sets Up Massive Hype For An Evil Robert Downey Jr.

There very well may be more parallels I’ve overlooked in this comparison, but I think I’ve proven my point. Tony Stark and Marvel Studios’ legacy have been renewed through the first picture in MCU Phase 6. Over the course of the three times I’ve seen the film (so far), the point that drove this entire conversation revealed itself to me: Robert Downey Jr. is one hell of a choice for Doctor Doom.

As a James Bond fan, I can appreciate the “dark mirror” plot device, in which a hero is confronted by their opposite number. Audiences used to seeing Downey as the heroically flawed and in-control Tony Stark are going to be in for a surprise when seeing him play the Latverian figure that rejects everything Reed Richards stands for.

To bring it all home, consider this: Robert Downey Jr. is going to be playing a Marvel Comics character that could bring his Academy Award-winning turn in Oppenheimer into the MCU. J. Robert Oppenheimer had Lewis Strauss, and now Reed Richards has his Doctor Doom.

Think of what a man like that would be capable of with resources and superhuman powers. With that scenario in mind, feel free to revisit The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters now, paying close attention to what clues may be present in that Doom’d mid-credits scene.

Speaking as a fan of superhero movies, I actually tend to prefer the source material in most cases. However, if there is one thing I believe most films (and a few TV shows) have handled better than the comics, it is making the heroes and villains look pretty good. The following are some essential examples of comic book characters whose screen iterations had better costume designs.

Batman (Batman Begins)

I believe the nighttime attire worn by Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne in 2005's Batman Begins outshines what the comics had delivered up to that point, not just in the aesthetic sense. I also love this Batsuit for its practicality and ingenuity, boasting features that include a fully bulletproof top to cover his entire torso and a cape that turns into wings when an electric current is run through it.

Captain America (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Steve Rogers' original costume from Marvel Comics is a bit hokey, with its winged helmet and feathery finish, but the outfit worn by Chris Evans' MCU iteration had a bit of an uneven history before its preferred final form. In his debut in Captain America: The First Avenger, he bears the stars and stripes on a tactical suit that thankfully made a comeback in the third act of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, following his ridiculous uniform from The Avengers.

Wonder Woman (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Instead of a patriotic leotard (which, given her Themiscyrian ancestry, does not make sense), Gal Gadot's Diana Prince fights in Amazonian battle armor. It also bears a bird-shaped emblem at the top, instead of a "WW," which also would have been nonsense to include, considering she never actually gives herself the name "Wonder Woman" in the DC Extended Universe.

Ant-Man (Ant-Man)

In 2015's Ant-Man, when Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) first sees the suit and helmet that he would soon use to shrink to microscopic size, he points out that it looks like a motorcycle outfit. Indeed, it does, which alone makes it an improvement over the tight jumpsuit with a partially opened, antannaed helmet that Hank Pym wears in the comics.

Robin (Batman & Robin)

I am not a fan of the impractical, anatomically correct full rubber suits that plagued the live-action Batman movies of the '80s and '90s. However, I am thankful that Batman & Robin's grown-up version of the Boy Wonder (played by Chris O'Donnell) is not just wearing a leotard. I even admire the decision to replace the green and yellow in his color scheme with black for added stealth, like his older companion... not that stealth is ever really a necessity for these iterations of the Caped Crusaders anyway.

Iron Man (Iron Man)

I would say it is no wonder that more recent comic books show Tony Stark wearing Iron Man armor that better resembles the sleek design created for Robert Downey Jr.'s MCU iteration, instead of the bulkier original suit.

Superman (Man Of Steel)

I am still convinced that the all-time best Superman costume created for live-action media was worn by Henry Cavill in 2013's Man of Steel. In fact, I think Clark Kent's red and blues from the DC Extended Universe outshine that of any of his comic book iterations, and for one reason in particular: I have never been a fan of his red trunks, and I am happy to see that feature omitted here.

Black Panther (Captain America: Civil War)

In his first appearance in Marvel Comics, T'Challa's warrior outfit was merely a skin-tight jumpsuit with a cape. Chadwick Boseman's MCU iteration of Black Panther ditches the cape, thankfully, and gives him some tangible armor, complemented beautifully by the pointed charms placed between his neck and shoulders.

Hawkeye (The Avengers)

I would say it was the right call for Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton to lose the helmet that Hawkeye wears in the comics, as I doubt it would have translated well to live-action cinema. At least, the suit he wears in 2012's The Avengers and subsequent MCU installments retains some of the purple from his original color scheme.

Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man (Spider-Man)

Author Sean O'Connell's book, With Great Power: How Spider-Man Conquered Hollywood During the Golden Age of Comic Book Blockbusters, actually quotes my description of what, arguably, makes Tobey Maguire's suit from Sam Raimi's trilogy the best live-action Spider-Man costume. The early 2000s era Peter Parker looked best for his outfit's anatomically correct spider emblems on the front and back, striking platinum webbing, and some mean-looking eyes.

Falcon (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

It was easier for fans to take Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam "Falcon" Wilson seriously than his comic book counterpart due to the drastic changes to his uniform. Removing his red and white V-neck jumpsuit with attached, foldout wings in favor of a tactical outfit and mechanical, retractable flight gear was the right call.

Scarlet Witch (WandaVision)

We caught a glimpse of what Scarlet Witch's original design would look like if adapted for live action in WandaVision when Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) wore an exaggerated headpiece, red leotard, and cape for Halloween. This would help viewers better appreciate the outfit she settles on at the end of the series, which is more grounded but also better represents her unparalleled power as a sorcerer.

Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

There are many reasons why Michael Keaton's Adrian "The Vulture" Toomes from Spider-Man: Homecoming is considered one of the all-time best Spider-Man movie villains, including his costume. Giving the experimental weapons dealer more practical wings, powered by propellers, helps ground the character better than his design in the comics, which is just an old dude in homemade feathered wings.

Thor (Thor)

Like many other Marvel Comics heroes of his time, Thor was originally depicted as wearing a tight, sleeveless jumpsuit, in addition to his signature winged metal helmet. I would say Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder boasts a decent-looking helmet at the beginning of his 2011 MCU debut, but I am especially glad his outfit actually includes armor that also covers his arms in a sleek fashion.

Star-Lord (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Chris Pratt's Peter Quill simply looks so much cooler in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, rocking a red leather duster and protective face mask, as opposed to a uniform that looks exactly like what the Nova Corps wears in the comics.

Doctor Strange (Doctor Strange)

Instead of tights and a tunic, putting Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Stephen Strange from 2016's Doctor Strange in a monk-like robe with the Cloak of Levitation made it easier to take the role seriously in the MCU.

Shazam (Shazam!)

You could argue that the costume worn by Zachary Levi's Billy Batson is a bit cartoonish, but that fits perfectly with the more breezy, comical tone of 2019's Shazam! The biggest selling point for me, however, is the constantly glowing lightning emblem, which is just a brilliant touch.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

Previous iterations of Harvey "Two-Face" Dent see half of his face become a bizarre, discolored monstrosity, inspiring him to wear custom-made, dual-colored suits. For Aaron Eckhart's version from 2008's The Dark Knight, the damaged side of his face resembles a more authentic result of a burning incident, and his suit's "evil half" is simply charred from the same event, grounding his appearance and, therefore, making the Batman villain even more unsettling.

Mr. Furious (Mystery Men)

I can't imagine seeing Ben Stiller's version of Mr. Furious in the same red and black jumpsuit the raging vigilante wears in Dark Horse's Flaming Carrot comics. However, putting him in a flame-embroidered black leather duster in 1998's Mystery Men works so well.

Nick Fury (The Avengers)

Can you even begin to imagine Samuel L. Jackson wearing Nick Fury's stealth suit from the comics instead of the black leather jacket he wears in The Avengers? Not even David Hasselhoff dressed like that for his pre-MCU portrayal of the character in the made-for-TV movie, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Fantastic Four (2005's Fantastic Four)

I think the cast of the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks great in their outfits, which call to mind the characters' original comic book appearances in the 1960s. However, I personally prefer the darker and more minimalistic approach in the otherwise widely despised adaptation from 2005.

M'Baku (Black Panther)

I cannot help but assume that Winston Duke's M'Baku would have looked simply ridiculous wearing a white gorilla's whole face around his head in 2018's Black Panther. However, settling for a decorative mask and a few touches of fur suit the portrayal perfectly.

Nebula (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Originally, in the comics, Nebula was not a cyborg, but just another, otherwise fierce, blue woman with long hair like Gamora and a traditionally feminine uniform. Making Karen Gillan's iteration from Guardians of the Galaxy a victim of mechanical alterations not only improves her look, but also adds some absorbing complexity to her story.

Loki (Thor)

For 2011's Thor, it was right to get Loki out of his tight, green jumpsuit from the comics and into a more earnestly crafted outfit fit for a god, especially when played by an actor like Tom Hiddleston.

Black Spider-Man Suit (Spider-Man 3)

I realize that the Black Spidersuit from 2007's Spider-Man 3, the result of the alien Symbiote bonding with Peter Parker's red and blues, is, essentially, nothing more than a monochromatic redesign of Tobey Maguire's original suit. However, when considering how iconic that costume already was (and remains), the simple recoloring makes it pop in the same way that printing a photo in black and white tends to improve the image.

Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)

I don't think there is a single person who would deny that the way 1997's Batman & Robin depicts the "coldhearted" Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is egregiously over-the-top. However, I cannot deny that I believe the design of his costume, handcrafted from aircraft-grade aluminum and thousands of blue LED lights, is epic, especially when compared to the colorful jumpsuit and glass bulb helmet he was given when the comics still called him "Mr. Zero."

Charlie Cox's Daredevil (Daredevil)

The early 2000s take on non-seeing attorney Matt Murdock's vengeful vigilante alter ego (played by Ben Affleck) tried to improve on the comics' red, skintight spandex jumpsuit by replacing it with red, skintight leather. The acclaimed MCU canon series Daredevil put star Charlie Cox in a Kevlar suit with a protective helmet that combines a subtle shade of burgundy with accents of black, resulting in a suit that wins over the originals in terms of both style and function.

Pepper "Rescue" Potts (Avengers: Endgame)

In 2010, Pepper Potts took on an armored vigilante alter ego known as Rescue, whose suit was, essentially, a feminized rework of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor, color scheme, and all. When Gwyneth Paltrow brought Rescue into the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, the appearance changed things up a bit by making purple the main color of her armor.

Moon Knight (Moon Knight)

Honestly, just about all comic book iterations of Moon Knight have looked pretty cool, but Oscar Isaac's Marc Spector from the Disney+ original series, Moon Knight, boasts an outfit that is more comparatively authentic to a genuine Egyptian warrior. Not to mention, giving him actual glowing white eyes makes him infinitely more intimidating.

Yondu (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from 2017 pays tribute to the comic book iteration of Yondu by having Michael Rooker wear a punk rock mohawk-style fin on his head, which is certainly fun to see. However, I'm glad James Gunn refrained from bringing back the character's very revealing original outfit, which is basically two straps to cover his nipples and a skirt.

The Eternals (Eternals)

With all due respect to the late, great Jack Kirby, his original designs for the immortal Marvel heroes known as the Eternals are pretty generic. However, their outfits from Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao's 2021 movie are far sleeker and more grounded, with additional details that help them stand out from other MCU characters.

Valkyrie (Thor: Ragnarok)

Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie trades in a typical, suggestive armored leotard for awesome-looking full-body warrior garb in 2017's Thor: Ragnarok.

Ironheart – Marvel’s latest show on the 2025 TV schedule – has stirred up a considerable amount of discussion on social media as of late. Unfortunately, not all of that chatter has been positive, as some have criticized the show for various reasons. A person could certainly argue the merits of some of the complaints that have been brought up. One such gripe is the fact that protagonist Riri Williams ordered food and had it delivered to what was meant to be an under-the-radar location, though others make a good Iron Man point.

During the fourth episode of Ironheart (which is available to stream in its entirety with a Disney+ subscription), Riri Williams commandeers the silo-based bunker of Ezekiel Stane (or Joe McGillicuddy) after he’s arrested. Williams uses the location to find a way to destroy a piece of Parker Robbins’ magic-based hood. While doing what appears to be hours of work, Williams orders dinner via Uber Eats, with someone showing up to the front of the bunker to deliver the vittles.

One viewer took to X to chastise Riri for seemingly being careless for someone giving the location of Stane’s secret lair, where he houses the military-grade equipment that he sells on the black market. What the user, and some others, seem to take issue with is the notion of Riri making such a move when she’s been established as a prodigy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Check out the responses, some of which also name other supposed mistakes Riri’s made:

• Riri Williams ordered Uber Eats to her secret base................ Your Marvel genius, everyone. - @heelvsbabyface
• She sold exams face to face for cash in the digital age when the dark web and crypto exists. - @Pieces_of_Bits
• But... The show is coherent! Apparently... - @DaveSavage1982
• And next, Batman having DoorDash show up at the Batcave. Because. Why not. ... - @JBirmingham503

The second portion of fans didn’t hold back when sharing their responses to the initial post and its reactions. What they specifically brought up was a major moment from 2013’s Iron Man 3 (which is one of the more underrated films in the Marvel movie ranking). In that movie, Tony Stark – while dealing with the machinations of the terroristic Mandarin – announced his home address to the world. Needless to say, plenty of viewers believe that’s small potatoes compared to what Riri ultimately did:

• Tony literally gave the terrorists his address in his 3rd movie. - @jayjjalen
• Who’s gonna tell him about Stark?😂😂😂😂 - @KING_JAY248
• How did the terrorist find Tony Starks Location again? - @GeekedOutSteven
• This is easily one of the most on brand iron man things for her to do and hilarious. - @stonymcu

Aside from the fact that Tony Stark did indeed call out the Mandarin on national TV and give his home address, I also agree with the notion that he’d order food if he were in Riri’s situation. Plus, given the exchange between Riri and the delivery man (who did seem visibly surprised by the location), there’s no way the latter could’ve known exactly what Riri was doing.

Riri Williams has been compared to Tony Stark quite frequently, even before the former was introduced into the MCU. Both have their own high-tech suits of armor, but their paths are completely different. In the case of Williams, she has to become a hero without access to billions of dollars, and she also doesn’t have a mentor like Tony Stark in her corner. Yet, in real life, Riri actress Dominique Thorne does have the support of Stark actor Robert Downey Jr., who’s sweetly voiced his approval of her casting and show more than a few times.

Unfortunately, Ironheart has been subjected to review bombing since even before it premiered. The series received mixed reviews from critics, though there are fans who enjoy it and believe others should check out the MCU show. My word of advice would be not to tune out any noise regarding the Uber Eats moment and watch the show in its entirety to form your own opinions.

It takes more than a cape and a six-pack to suit up as the Man of Steel. You need patience, humility, and a sense of humor. That third trait is especially important when an actor meets a pint-sized fan in some of the best Superman gear… who casually tells you his favorite superhero is Iron Man. However, based on that delightful red carpet interview moment, David Corenswet -- the star of James Gunn’s upcoming Superman -- passed that test with flying colors.

During a red carpet interview posted to Hits Radio UK’s official TikTok, Corenswet shared a charming behind-the-scenes story from the set of his 2025 movie release, which is seemingly winning fans over faster than a speeding bullet. While filming the highly anticipated upcoming DC movie, which serves as a reboot of the franchise and the first official entry in DC’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, the star behind the latest version of the Last Son of Krypton had a surprise visitor. The Twisters alum shared:

‘Everything was going according to plan—a wholesome moment between a kid and the superhero he was dressed as. Until it took a hilarious twist. The Supes star continued:

And just like that, Corenswet proved why he’s the perfect choice to carry the cape.

He didn’t flinch. He didn’t correct the kid. He embraced the moment and leaned into the fun as if he were prepping an upcoming Marvel movie, because that’s precisely what Superman would do. The pose might have come from a rival universe, but the spirit of kindness, humility, and playfulness was 100% DC.

This moment may seem small, but it says a lot. David Corenswet is taking on one of the most iconic pop culture roles, but he still didn’t let ego get in the way of a genuine interaction. He turned what could’ve been an awkward exchange into an unforgettable experience, not just for the kid, but for fans now hearing about it across social media. It’s that kind of off-screen behavior that helps cement an on-screen legacy.

James Gunn's latest superhero epic is aiming to give the DC Universe a fresh start with a tone that emphasizes hope, humanity and heart. Just from the epic first Superman trailer and early buzz, it's clear that the movie has hit the right vibe. The entire Supes cast is also solid, featuring Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, David Corenswet as Clark Kent, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, plus Nathan Fillion, Skyler Gisondo, and Isabela Merced in key roles. It seems they're going for a more comic book-accurate take on the material and, from what we've seen so far, Corenswet definitely seems to be capturing the hopeful spirit!

Striking an Iron Man pose in a Superman suit is the kind of cross-universe energy I didn’t know I needed. On top of that though, it also might be the clearest sign yet that David Corenswet understands what this role truly means, and he’s ready to wear the “S” with pride.

Superman soars into theaters on July 11, so be sure to check your local listings for tickets.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But those of us who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will remember when Robert Downey Jr. started it all with Iron Man in 2008. Tony Stark's legacy is being expanded with the Ironheart TV series, and actress Dominique Thorne recently spoke about the sweet nature of her relationship with RDJ.

Thorne debuted as Riri Williams in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, before her spinoff show was announced. While fans are waiting to see her in upcoming Marvel movies, we're currently in the midst of Ironheart. While appearing on The Zach Snag Show, she revealed how supportive Robert Downey Jr. continues to be. As she shared:

How sweet is that? While they seemingly aren't going to share the screen together, it sounds like Robert Downey Jr. has gone out of his way to connect with Thorne and make her feel seen and encouraged. He even watched the 3-episode premiere of Ironheart when it was first released.

Adapting comics from the page to the screen is challenging, especially given how much exposition and set-up is needed before a full-blown superhero battle can occur. This something that RDJ spoke about Dominique Thorne about regarding her new spinoff, as she shared:

Sounds like pretty powerful stuff. Thorne is a unique place in the MCU, as she's going from a supporting character to leading her own project. That comes with its own set of challenges, something she really appreciated connecting with the Oscar-winning actor over. In that same podcast appearance she also said:

Now we just need to get this dynamic duo on the screen together. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in the next two Avengers movies, to the joy of fans. Dominique Thorne's name wasn't listed on Doomsday's cast announcement, so we might have to cross our fingers that she somehow factors into Secret Wars instead.

Ironheart is streaming now on Disney+ and Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th, 2026. Hopefully we get to Riri Williams and Doctor Doom get a scene together... it'll almost be like seeing her with Tony Stark.

Many actors have said that a villain is one of the most fun types of roles that you can play. Unfortunately, not every actor knows how to be menacing, or at least just not in a way that matches the tone or intent of their given story. The following are some of the most notable examples of movies and TV shows that might have benefited from searching a bit harder for the right person to play the enemy.

Lex Luthor (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

There are few superhero movies as polarizing as 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but one thing most audiences agree about director Zack Snyder's crossover epic is that it misses the mark with Lex Luthor. It seems Academy Award nominee Jessie Eisenberg, who blamed himself for his role's poor reception, is trying more to be a clone of Heath Ledger's Joker without the makeup than portray a fitting take on Superman's archnemesis with his manic, almost childish, performance.

Walter Padick (The Dark Tower)

Some fans of Stephen King's acclaimed book series, The Dark Tower, have said that Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey might have been a better fit to portray the heroic gunslinger, Roland, allowing Idris Elba to shine stronger as the demonic sorcerer Walter Padick instead. Of course, the casting is one of the least pivotal reasons why this 2017 adaptation from director Nikolaj Arcel received such horrid backlash.

Eddie Brock (Spider-Man 3)

On an episode of MovieFone’s Unscripted, Topher Grace admitted that he felt he was an unlikely choice to star in 2007's Spider-Man 3 as Eddie Brock, also known as Venom, given the character looks more like... well, Tom Hardy. What convinced him to take the part was director Sam Raimi's idea of depicting the photojournalist, who becomes attached to a symbiotic alien, as, essentially, Peter Parker's evil twin. With all due respect to the man behind the Evil Dead movies and to the former That '70s Show cast member, that might not have been the best call.

Gellert Grindelwald (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald)

While his presence alone is distracting enough, fans and critics alike thought Johnny Depp was too cartoonishly over-the-top as the villainous title role of the Harry Potter movie prequel, 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The performance especially pales in comparison to Mads Mikkelsen, who succeeded the Oscar nominee in the part for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore to greater acclaim.

Jafar (Aladdin)

I am not saying that no one else could play Jafar better than how Jonathan Freeman voiced the ruthless tyrant in the original 1992 classic Disney animated movie, Aladdin. However, I do believe that Marwan Kenzari is simply too reserved, too earnest, and not having enough fun with this iconic, dastardly role in Guy Ritchie's live-action remake from 2019.

Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)

I must admit, I actually think Arnold Schwarzenegger's shamelessly over-the-top performance and incessantly punny dialogue as the "coldhearted" Gotham criminal, Mr. Freeze, almost makes the reviled Batman & Robin worth watching. However, I would also agree that the 1997 DC flick offers a poor representation of the tragic character, especially after Batman: The Animated Series handled him to such wonderful acclaim a few years before.

Javert (Les Misérables)

With 2012's Les Misérables, director Tom Hooper did not just adapt Victor Hugo's novel, but the acclaimed, operatic stage musical it inspired. Perhaps if it had been a more traditionally dramatized version of the story instead, the Academy Award-winning non-singer Russell Crowe's casting as Inspector Javert would have been perfect.

Obadiah Stane (Iron Man)

This may be a hot take, but I believe 2008's otherwise terrific premiere installment of the Marvel Movies in order suffers from a third act that does not quite live up to its promises, and I think Obadiah Stane is to blame. As a longtime fan of Jeff Bridges, I hate to admit that the Academy Award winner's performance in Iron Man is not menacing or memorable enough to make an enduring impression or match Robert Downey Jr.'s fun, nuanced, and tone-setting performance as Tony Stark

Balem Abrasax (Jupiter Ascending)

There are many reasons why Lana and Lily Wachowski's 2015 sci-fi epic Jupiter Ascending ended up being a critical and commercial failure, and many critics cite Eddie Redmayne as a key reason. Even the Oscar winner himself agreed, while filming a video for GQ, that his over-the-top performance as Balem Abrasax, consisting of a gravelly whisper often interrupted by irritating screams, was "pretty bad."

Norman Bates (Psycho)

Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, Psycho, sees Vince Vaughn succeed Anthony Perkins in the role of disturbed motel manager Norman Bates. The actor was already an unlikely choice to play a murderer then, fresh off his hilarious performance in Swingers, and seems even more unlikely today after his many other iconic comedic roles.

The Joker (Suicide Squad)

For many, Jared Leto's Joker in Suicide Squad is the go-to example of a badly cast villain, but having seen his more subdued take on the Clown Prince of Crime in Zack Snyder's Justice League, I disagree that the Oscar winner was the wrong choice. I will agree that his performance in David Ayer's 2016 DC supervillain crossover is a misfire, but I also feel that this particular iteration of Batman's archnemesis fails mostly because of how the disparagingly rushed screenplay depicts him.

Dracula (Blade: Trinity)

I will say that I give credit to writer and director David S. Goyer for attempting to try something different when incorporating the most powerful vampire of all into the third installment of the Wesley Snipes-led Marvel movie franchise. However, Dominic Purcell just does not fit the bill as Dracula, aesthetically or otherwise, contributing substantially to the unremarkable legacy of Blade: Trinity.

Thomas Gabriel (Live Free Or Die Hard)

I remember hearing movie critic Richard Roeper, on an episode of Ebert & Roeper, say he would have rather seen Maggie Q, who plays a henchperson, take over the main villain role in Bruce Willis' fourth adventure as John McClane instead of Timothy Olyphant. As much as I enjoy the actor in almost everything he does, I cannot help but agree that he might have been a better henchperson than the mustache-twirling lead cyberterrorist in 2007's Live Free or Die Hard.

Ares (Wonder Woman)

I realize that casting David Thewlis as the God of War, disguised as the speaker for the peace Sir Patrick Morgan, was meant to be a misdirect, and I respect the intent. However, most people agree that the final act reveal was one of the weakest parts of 2017's Wonder Woman, which is otherwise considered one of the better installments of the DC Extended Universe.

Griffin (The Watcher)

In defense of Keanu Reeves, the actor told The Guardian he was tricked into starring in 2000's The Watcher, which he never found interesting, after a "friend" forged his signature onto a casting agreement and, since he had no evidence to prove it, he decided it would be easier to go through with it than getting sued. This explains his phoned-in performance in the panned serial killer drama as a menacing murderer, whom star James Spader probably would have handled much better instead of playing the hero.

Lex Luthor (Supergirl)

Forgive me, but I just find it so difficult to see Jon Cryer outside of his longtime role as Alan Harper on Two and a Half Men. Even with the shaved scalp and beard drastically altering his appearance, the Pretty in Pink actor is simply not very believable as the ruthless Lex Luthor on Supergirl and other installments of the Arrowverse.

Two-Face (Batman Forever)

Harvey "Two-Face" Dent may be an unstable psychopath, but he is not the cackling maniac that Tommy Lee Jones portrayed him as, as if he were trying to one-up Jim Carrey's scenery-chewing energy as The Riddler. It really makes you wonder why the otherwise brilliant Academy Award winner told the comedian that he "could not sanction [his] buffoonery" when he ultimately gives the more buffoonish performance in 1995's Batman Forever anyway.

Carlton "Riot" Drake (Venom)

Riz Ahmed is typically sensational in just about everything he does, from his Emmy-winning performance in The Night Of to his Oscar-nominated turn in Sound of Metal. However, he gives one of his most boring performances in 2018's Venom as Carlton Drake, a scientist who obsessively and insidiously leads a study of extraterrestrial symbiotes.

The White Death (Bullet Train)

Michael Shannon has played some fantastic antagonistic roles in the past, such as in Premium Rush and 99 Homes, and even in the otherwise polarizing Man of Steel. However, his attempt at playing an Eastern European criminal known as "The White Death" is almost too silly, even for a consciously silly action flick like Bullet Train.

Stanley Kowalski (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Perhaps it is a controversial choice to choose one of the great Marlon Brando's most praised performances as a miscast villain. However, the Tennessee Williams-penned play that inspired 1951's A Streetcar Named Desire is really about Blanche (Vivien Leigh), and you could argue that casting Stella's (Kim Hunter) abusive husband with one of Hollywood's most handsome and charismatic actors shifts the focus in the wrong direction.

Poppy Adams (Kingsman: The Golden Circle)

I would not say that Julianne Moore is necessarily bad in Kingsman: The Golden Circle, the 2017 sequel to Matthew Vaughn's hit comedic spy thriller. However, there is something about seeing her gleefully chewing the scenery as the unusually charming, but psychopathic, cartel leader, Poppy Adams, that still feels a bit off.

Rodney Alcala (Woman Of The Hour)

Star and director Anna Kendrick's Woman of the Hour is based on the true story of Rodney Alcala, a convicted serial killer whose charming personality and classic good looks earned him a win on The Dating Game. However, Daniel Zovatto not only looks barely anything like the guy, but also does not quite pull off the same charm when trying to court Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick) in the game show scenes. He is quite terrifying in depictions of his murder spree, though.

Blackheart (Ghost Rider)

Wes Bentley plays a strong, antagonistic force in the Yellowstone cast as Jamie Dutton, so I suppose the secret is casting him in more grounded, vindictive roles. However, he is not quite the right match for powerful, supernatural entities like Blackheart, whom he plays in 2007's Nicolas Cage-led Marvel movie, Ghost Rider.

Travis Marshall (Dexter)

In theory, Colin Hanks is a perfect choice for the big bad of Dexter's sixth season, Travis Marshall – a seemingly mild-mannered man driven to murder by religious fanatic, Prof. James Gellar (played by Edward James Olmos). However, the moment he realizes Gellar is a figment of his imagination and embraces his dark side is the moment the otherwise affable actor's performance as a sinister killer becomes a tragic misfire.

Miranda Tate/Talia Al Ghul (The Dark Knight Rises)

Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard is not a bad choice to play Miranda Tate, who is really Ra's Al Ghul's vengeful daughter, Talia, in disguise, in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. Unfortunately, the French actor's performance in the polarizing finale to Christopher Nolan's trilogy of Batman films will forever be overshadowed by her hilariously inept death scene.

Adrian (Oldboy)

The world never needed Spike Lee's remake of Oldboy in the first place. However, the usually impressive Sharlto Copley makes an especially convincing case for its needlessness with a performance that paints his villainous role as more of a whiney brat than a vengeful sadist.

Gabriel (Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning)

In a series that has only ever had one enduringly memorable villain (Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III), the rest seem as scary as they come when compared to the egregious, mustache-twirling nature of Esai Morales' role, who gives an even more ridiculous performance in 2025's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.

Dr. Norman Spencer (What Lies Beneath)

Following a career defined by heroic characters like Star Wars' Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and President James Marshall in Air Force One, it is just really hard to picture Harrison Ford as a murderer. You could argue that the actor's reputation makes the chilling reveal in What Lies Beneath even more shocking, but others have argued it just comes off as unbelievable.

Raymond Blossom (Playing God)

Based on his Academy Award-winning role in Ordinary People, Timothy Hutton is an undeniably fantastic actor, but his role as Raymond Blossom in 1997's Playing God is not his best work. He plays the ruthless counterfeiter a little too cheesily to match the tone of this crime thriller starring David Duchovny as a disgraced surgeon hired on Blossom's payroll.

Col. Tom Parker (Elvis)

There may be a heightened sense of reality in 2022's Elvis, Baz Luhrmann's biopic of the legendary musician. However, Tom Hanks' prosthetic makeup and faux European accent as Elvis Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker, is too inauthentic and silly to be taken seriously.

Abigail Williams (The Crucible)

With all due respect to the otherwise talented Winona Ryder, her casting in 1996's The Crucible as a young woman who corrupts her entire village with lies about witchcraft is just not very believable, from her subpar accent to her lack of chemistry with Daniel Day-Lewis as a married man she shares an affair with.

Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler (Pacific Rim Uprising)

Charlie Day starred in Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim in the obligatory role you see in all kinds of sci-fi/disaster flicks: the plucky comic relief who is never taken seriously despite having all the right answers. For 2018's Pacific Rim Uprising, Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler is brought back as the villain, which is already a tough sell before his motivation (being corrupted by an alien he has had a romantic relationship with) descends the sequel into unforgivable levels of cheesiness.

There’s a moment in the latest Marvel crossover comic that hits like a repulsor blast to the chest, a final stand, a desperate mission, and a message that feels ripped straight from the Avengers: Endgame finale. Marvel just said goodbye to Tony Stark all over again, but this time it’s not in a major superhero movie release but in a comic where the billionaire playboy philanthropist goes up against something darker, stranger, and dripping with acid blood. And, while the setting may be cosmic horror instead of cinematic spectacle, the emotional weight? Yeah, it still lands like a Stark Industries bomb.

The fourth and final issue of the Aliens vs. Avengers miniseries, written by Jonathan Hickman with jaw-dropping art by Esad Ribić, wraps with a sacrifice straight out of an MCU fever dream. But this isn’t the youthful genius from the Iron Man MCU flicks we are used to. This is an older, grayer Stark. A man who’s seen it all, lost even more, and chooses to go out on his own terms. What does he leave behind? Not just a trail of alien bodies, but a recorded message that hits like a vibranium punch to the gut:

Full body chills, right? “Avenge me.” Yeah, that’s a line that will stick with you for awhile.

So here’s the quick recap for those who do not keep up with all things comic book related. A corrupted Mr. Sinister decides to weaponize the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise (which is continuing with FX's upcoming 2025 TV show, Alien: Earth), and things get ugly. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes gear up for an intergalactic showdown that makes the Battle of New York look like a mosh pit. And, by the time the dust settles, Tony’s gone, but the job’s far from over.

Instead of wrapping things up with a neat little “we saved the galaxy” bow, Stark’s message basically gives the Avengers a new mission: keep fighting. Not just in their universe. In every universe. Yep, this thing just went full MCU Multiverse.

And if that sounds like the setup for a sequel? It absolutely is.

Let’s get real, when Marvel first announced Aliens vs. Avengers, plenty of folks (including this writer) assumed it was just another brand mash-up designed to sell variant covers and action figures. But then Jonathan Hickman walked in like, “What if we actually made it good?” And yeah, they did.

The result? A bloody, bold, surprisingly emotional crossover that manages to honor both franchises. You’ve got Venom screaming at a Xenomorph queen. You’ve got Mr. Sinister being his usual high-camp nightmare. You’ve got Stark being vintage Stark, brilliant, self-destructive, and ready to take one final swing for the team.

Here’s the twist: this Tony may be gone, but the multiverse means Iron Man never really dies. If Aliens vs. Avengers does get a round two, and after that final page, I’m betting it will, don’t be surprised if another version of Stark shows up to carry on the mission. Maybe one with a beard from a different timeline. Maybe one who is a Xenomorph. Or, if we want to get real “pie in the sky,” perhaps a crossover with the likes of Stark/Doom that’s presumably set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. (Okay, probably not that last one… but one can dream.)

In the meantime, Tony Stark’s latest death might just be one of his most potent demises. The story's got heart and horror, but it’s got one final mic-drop that deserves a slow, Robert Downey Jr.-esque clap.

Aliens vs. Avengers #4 is now available wherever you purchase your comics. Just be sure to bring a flamethrower. As for the next MCU flick on the 2025 movie schedule, the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to land in theaters on July 25.

Ironheart is close to making its debut amid the 2025 TV schedule, and with it comes a wave of questions about what lies ahead for protagonist Riri Williams in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Something that hasn’t been in question, however, is how Iron Man icon Robert Downey Jr. feels about another armored hero being in the MCU. Downey has shown the upcoming Marvel show’s lead actress, Dominique Thorne a lot of support and most recently did so via a video message. Both the video and Thorne’s reaction are so great.

Dominique Thorne and fellow Ironheart cast member Anthony Ramos promoted their new show while appearing on Good Morning America. It was during the broadcast that co-host Robin Roberts surprised the duo with a pre-recorded greeting from Robert Downey Jr. The former Tony Stark actor sweetly showed love to Thorne and also joked about his hope that Ramos’ Parker Robbins (a.k.a. The Hood) wasn’t going to replace his Doctor Doom as the MCU’s main Big Bad. Check out the clip, which was shared on Instagram, below:

Cue all of the “awwws,” as this was truly a wonderful moment and one that this MCU fan won’t forget anytime soon. RDJ first reached out to the Riri Williams portrayer years ago, after she landed the role of the tech prodigy. Since then, it’s been evident that Downey has been in the up-and-coming star’s corner amid her journey. I love seeing actors support fellow actors, and this now-viral moment is the epitome of that ideal.

As of late, Dominique Thorne hasn’t shied away from discussing Robert Downey Jr.’s support of her casting and character. During a recent interview, Thorne addressed Downey’s kindness while explaining what still-uncertain fans should get on the Ironheart “bandwagon.” After viewing Downey’s video amid her GMA appearance, Thorne explained why her peer’s approval means so much to her, and it sounds like her love for Iron Man runs deep:

As Robert Downey Jr.’s cap indicates, he’s been working at Pinewood Studios, where he’s filming the much-discussed Avengers: Doomsday. With Downey returning to the MCU, he’s set to breathe villainous life into one of the most iconic characters in comic book history. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo previously said the actor was undergoing “intense” prep for the role and even helped forge the character’s backstory within this continuity.

There has still been speculation, though, as to whether Robert Downey Jr. might appear on Dominique Thorne’s show as Tony Stark. In the comics, a Tony Stark A.I. construct serves as Riri’s guide. Early on, Thorne addressed the possibility of Stark popping up, and she said she certainly wouldn’t be opposed to Stark showing up. I’m not sure if Stark and Williams will actually mix it up on screen in some way but, at present, I’m just happy that Thorne and Downey are connecting in real life.

Ironheart hits Disney+ on June 24 with a three-episode premiere. While you wait for it, you can stream Riri’s MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

No one really scrolls the channels looking for something to watch anymore, there are too many great streaming services and other ways to call up your entertainment on demand. Back in the late 20th Century, however, that was the only option, and so, as you flipped endlessly from channel to channel, you could only hope to come across a classic "remote dropper." One of those movies, like The Big Lebowski or The Hunt For Red October, that never gets old is a remote dropper, and those are what this list is all about. The moment you hit on a movie you love, and drop the remote for the next couple of hours.

Die Hard

Die Hard may ultimate Christmas movie to some, but it is always a must-watch, no matter what season it is. There are so many amazing moments in the movie, no matter where it is in the plot, you just have to stop and watch until the end when Al becomes the hero he deserves to be.

GoodFellas

Martin Scorsese's classic Goodfellas is one of those movies where the great performances and amazing dialogue just get better with time. It's a movie that has aged incredibly well, and really, do we need to explain why so many people call this the perfect gangster movie?

Friday

Speaking from experience, I can tell you, if you went to college in the '90s, Friday was part of a regular rotation of movies that were watched over and over and over again. It really introduced Chris Tucker to the world, and it's filled with so many quotable lines from Tucker and the others that my friends and I could basically recite the entire movie. There's a good reason that it is so meme'd today.

Ocean's Eleven

The incredible cast, headlined by George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is so utterly charming in Ocean's Eleven that it's impossible to pass up when it's on. Every viewing will give you a new favorite moment or favorite line. The pace of the movie is perfect as you speed along to the fantastic conclusion. It's a classic heist movie, among the best the genre has ever produced.

Anchorman

Talk about a movie with an endless amount of quotable lines. There aren't many movies out there that have as many as Anchorman. It's ridiculous and hilarious. The comedy is Will Ferrell at his zenith, in my opinion. He's always funny, but Ron Burgundy is his funniest character ever. Including Buddy the Elf.

The Godfather And The Godfather Part II

There is a reason The Godfather and its first sequel are so often ranked as among the finest films ever made. The dense, complex movies are still incredibly watchable. That is a hard combo to pull of, but that's what makes the Francis Ford Coppola's movies so freaking great. They have everything anyone could ever want in a movie. Watching them back to back is a perfect way to spend a rainy day.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High

With an incredible cast of future stars, Fast Times at Ridgemont High will never not be a classic. Some of the jokes have aged poorly, to be sure, but for anyone who grew up with the movie on cable all the time, it will always be a favorite.

Dredd

If you haven't watched Dredd in a while, you should. The Alex Garland-penned superhero based on the classic comic series is an amazing improvement over the first attempt to adapt Judge Dredd by Sly Stallone in the '90s. Whenever I want to watch a movie and can't decide what to watch, there is a good chance I'll fall back on this, since it never gets boring or old.

Malcolm X

I'm a sucker for a great historical biopic and Spike Lee's Malcolm X is truly one of the best. It's also my favorite performance by Denzel Washington, and that is really saying something. Based on Alex Haley's The Autobiography Of Malcolm X, Lee adaptation is fantastic from start to finish.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

I mean, come on, how could Raiders not be on this list? The Steven Spielberg classic is one of the most fun movies ever made. It's quippy and exciting, and it's exactly the kind of movie that everyone loves to watch. And we all know it so well, you can still get distracted by your phone and not worry about missing any important plot points that you don't already know by heart.

Network

It's almost scary just how relevant a movie like Network, which was released in 1976, is today. Ned Beatty's speech about corporations running the country is so prescient it's crazy. The rest of the movie is just as good.

The Hunt For Red October

This, to me, is the ultimate remote-dropper. It's the movie that inspired this list. It's such a well-made movie, from start to finish, that it just never, ever gets old. The Hunt For Red October is a near-perfect movie in my opinion, and it's easily one of the best movies of the 1990s. Sure, Sean Connery's lack of an accent is a little weird, but he's so great otherwise, it's easy to overlook. Alec Baldwin was born to play Jack Ryan, and I wish we'd gotten more movies with him in the role.

The Big Lebowski

There are many people who, when asked what their favorite movie of all time is, will answer with The Big Lebowski. It's the ultimate shaggy dog story with a cool macguffin (The Dude's rug), and some of the best dialogue ever put on film, courtesy of the Coen Brothers. All the Dude wanted was his rug back, and instead, we got one of the best movies ever.

The Dark Knight

Whenever a director as talented as Christopher Nolan takes on a superhero movie, sign me up. Ultimately, though, it's not Nolan's awesome direction that brings me back again and again; it's Heath Ledger's legendary performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight. It has redefined how the classic character has been portrayed ever since.

The Princess Bride

From the time you're a kid, well into adulthood, The Princess Bride is part of your life. It changes with perspective as you age, but it's always fantastic. The story is so timeless, and the performances are so good, it just never gets old. It would be inconceivable to me to keep scrolling when I see it on TV.

Dazed And Confused

Alright, alright, alright. You knew this one had to be here. The ultimate coming-of-age high school party movie that somehow avoids so many of the tropes of the genre that other movies like it fall into. It helps to have actors like Matthew McCoughnehey, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Cole Hauser, and so many more to anchor the movie.

Sicario

I was entranced the first time I saw Sicario. The gripping movie is intense, but incredibly watchable. The performances from Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin are great, but it's Benicio Del Toro who really steals the show as a man on a psychotic mission to avenge his family.

Casablanca

Casablanca is quite possibly the most quoted movie of all time. The first time you see it, it almost feels like a parody of classic cinema because so many iconic lines originated here. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are incredible, and the movie has it all, from daring escapes to classic romance to even some wonderful humor. Yeah, it's a misquote, but I'll always "Play it again, Sam."

Apocalypse Now

The opening scene of Apocalypse Now, with the trees exploding and The Doors playing over the sound of a helicopter is one of the most engaging opening scenes in any movie, ever. The movie never lets up from there (unless you're watching the "Redux" version, which I don't recommend). Screenwriter John Milius manages to cram a war movie with so many classic quotes, it's a movie you can recite over and over when you watch.

New Jack City

If we're honest, New Jack City is a bit dated these days, but in its time, it was one of the most rewatchable movies of the era. The Crack Epidemic was very real, and no movie showed it quite like this Wesley Snipes-led classic. Plus, Chris Rock, who was just 19 years old at the time, puts in one of his best acting performances of all time.

Tombstone

Could Tombstone be the most quotable movie ever? It is certainly one of the best Westerns ever. That's before we even get into all the amazing facial hair in the movie. The whole cast is amazing, especially Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday, and that will always make the movie rewatchable.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

This one is personal. I love some Quentin Tarantino movies, and I honestly hate other ones. I suppose that's the mark of a great artist. His vision isn't always going to line up with everyone else's idea of greatness. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a truly great one, though. There are so many fun moments, great lines, and superb performances that it's easy to watch again and again.

Friends With Benefits

Rom Coms are always great movies to have on in the background as you do your daily chores, and my favorite for that is Friends with Benefits. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake have great chemistry, and, honestly, Woody Harrelson's performance is my favorite part of the movie. He's just hilarious.

Iron Man

In a way, Iron Man is on this list to represent the entire MCU. It set such a fantastic example for next three dozen movies that it's hard to imagine any other movie launching the most successful franchise of all time. And it's maybe the most rewatchable of all them.

Beverly Hills Cop

In the 1980s, there was no one funnier than Eddie Murphy, and the peak of that came in Beverly Hills Cop. It's the perfect movie for Murphy's irreverent, foul-mouthed humor, and every single joke in the movie lands perfectly. It also has a great plot that allows for more than just Murphy delivering those jokes.

The Game

Director David Fincher has a slew of movies that could be on this list, like Seven and Fight Club, and even The Social Network, but for me, the one I love the most is The Game. It's a movie I knew nothing about when I first saw it and it blew my mind. I've revisited it many, many times over the years since.

Jurassic Park

The summer of 1993 will forever be known as the summer of Jurassic Park. The movie dominated the box office all summer, and it launched a franchise that is still going more than 30 years later. The most amazing part is how well the visual effects still hold up, and that is why it is on this list. It will be watched until the end of time.

Mean Girls

Talk about quotable movies! Mean Girls is full of classics. Its also one of the most enduring comedies of its era and has even inspired a musical and movie adaptation of that musical.

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs is the last movie to win each of the "Big Five" Oscars. It won Best Picture, Best Director for Jonathan Demme, Best Adapted Screenplay for Ted Tally, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, and Best Actress for Jodi Foster. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know.

True Romance

Tony Scott has a bunch of movies that could fit on this list. Top Gun, Days Of Thunder, Crimson Tide...it's a long list. For me, however, True Romance is his best. The Tarantino-penned classic also features one of the greatest scenes in movie history between Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper that ends with Hopper's character's death.

American Fiction

The Oscar-winning American Fiction is the newest movie on this list, but it became an instant classic for me. Issa Rae's character never fails to crack me up in her first scene, and Sterling K. Brown delivering the line "I've taken a lover" is my favorite quote in a movie this decade.

Boogie Nights

Paul Thomas Anderson hit the big time with Boogie Nights, and there are a lot of reasons it's on this list. The music is amazing, and every scene is like a self-contained mini-film. No matter where you start, you are sucked right in. The end gets a little dark, sure, but it's still Anderson's most rewatchable film.

Robert Downey Jr. is no stranger to training for a role, as his work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe alone has given him plenty of opportunities to do so. He’s currently in production on the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, and he seems to have a grasp on training. However, there was a time at which the A-lister had to get the hang of training, and he apparently would over do it at times. That’s the impression he gave sometime ago when discussing the highs and lows of having to maintain a superhero-esque physique.

The longtime Tony Stark actor has never been one to shy away from the more nuanced aspects of playing a major MCU character. In regard to working out, he previously explained his regimen to Men’s Fitness (via Comic Book Movie) during a wide-ranging interview. Robert Downey Jr. had only starred in a handful of Marvel flicks at that time, but he definitely had an understanding of how he needed to prepare from a physical standpoint:

Men’s Fitness also reported that Robert Downey Jr.’s workout schedule required him to be in the gym around 12 hours a week. (Talk about commitment.) Sure, Downey hasn’t had to be totally jacked like Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth or some of his other co-stars. However, even though his character famously sported an iron suit, he still had to look like an “action hero.” It’s hard to argue with the results, given that Downey has appeared quite fit in the films. However, his comments seemed to indicate that it came back to bite him a bit:

Robert Downey Jr. was already over 40 when he began playing Iron Man, and I could understand why there may have been something of a learning curve in the beginning. However, I’d say that everything worked out well, considering the physicality he’s managed to portray on screen for years. As for exactly how much time he’s spending in the gym for his role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, that’s unclear. However, it’s been said that Downey is doing “intense” prep from a character-building standpoint to play the role.

All the while, some of the Victor von Doom actor’s co-stars have been getting in shape for the latest installment in the Avengers franchise. Chris Hemsworth is building his biceps, based on a video he shared to social media, and Simu Liu’s abs are all set as well. I’m not sure either of those leading men or other MCU vets need much advice on working out. However, I’d like to think Robert Downey Jr. would offer guidance, based on his own tricky experiences, if asked.

Avengers: Doomsday, which is just one of several upcoming Marvel movies, is set to open in theaters on May 1, 2026. While you wait for its release, you can head on over to Disney+ and stream a variety of Marvel movies.

When CinemaBlend attended Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan over the weekend, we had the chance to see The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau unveil the first footage from the movie to a crowd of fans (which looked incredible). Immediately after, we got to chat with the filmmaker about making his first Star Wars movie, and how its 2026 release will mark a full circle moment for him, thanks to Avengers: Doomsday and Robert Downey Jr.

Since The Mandalorian and Grogu release date is over a year away, it probably hasn’t occurred to most that the Star Wars movie is coming out three weeks apart from Avengers: Doomsday. When I asked Favreau about this, here’s how he responded:

The Avengers: Doomsday release date is set for May 1, 2026, while The Mandalorian And Grogu is coming out on May 22. Considering Favreau helmed the first Iron Man movie with Robert Downey Jr, which effectively started the MCU, it’s kind of amazing that his first Star Wars movie will be sharing air with the return of RDJ.

Downey is set to star as the next big Avengers villain, Doctor Doom, alongside a huge cast, which was unveiled last month. This will be his first Marvel movie in years, as well as the first one where he won't be playing Iron Man.

Favreau has been at the forefront of big movie franchises multiple times now, not only through Iron Man, but through his live-action The Jungle Book movie, too. After being a huge part of The Mandalorian series for three seasons, he also talked about having the chance to make a bigger-scale story this time around. In his words:

Ever since this Star Wars TV show became a hit, we’ve been wondering whether The Mandalorian could become a movie, and via the footage we saw at Star Wars Celebration, the director is absolutely taking advantage of his “bigger canvas.”

The footage opened with an awesome fight sequence from Mando before showing all sorts of exciting nuggets from the movie, from tons of Grogu using the force moments, to Sigourney Weaver’s character, to the return of AT-AT to the big screen. As Favreau also shared with us:

Jon Favreau has a great track record of creating big-screen experiences for audiences, and The Mandalorian and Grogu will be no exception. While we wait for the release, you can check out other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows (and more exclusives from Star Wars Celebration) here on CinemaBlend.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth at this point, thanks to years of projects in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will remember it all started with Jon Favreau's Iron Man in 2008. Actor Faran Tahir played the villainous Raza in that movie, and fans were shocked when it was revealed that he'll be reprising that role in the forthcoming Vision series. Turns out he was just as shocked.

That project, with the working title Vision Quest, is meant to be Paul Bettany's return to the MCU, picking up on White Vision's story after WandaVision's finale. Exactly how Raza will fit into this narrative remains to be seen, but it offers the upcoming Marvel show yet another connection to the MCU's history. While speaking with CBM, Tahir explained his feelings about finally returning to the shared universe. He said:

Honestly, sign me up. While I was already invested in the series because it's a follow-up to WandaVision, the fact that we'll also get a character that's been missing since Iron Man is another reason to tune in. And it sounds like Raza's story is going to be chock full of surprises.

While Vision's future in upcoming Marvel movies is still a mystery, his TV series is coming together. But given Marvel's tight security, the details of the narrative are being kept under wraps. In the same interview, Faran Tahir spoke about how surprised he was to get the call over a decade after starring as an antagonist in Iron Man. In his words:

Nobody involved in Iron Man could have known that it would be the start of an absolutely massive shared universe that spanned 35 movies and 13 television series (to date). The cast and crew were taking a big risk, and it was one that truly paid off.

Only time will tell how Tahir's character Raza returns, and what his interaction with Paul Bettany's character in Vision Quest is like. The project is still coming together, and has an unnamed 2026 release date. And as such, its not part of the 2025 TV premiere list.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong for over a decade, and is constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The fandom is always curious about upcoming Marvel movies, but the conversations around Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are getting especially loud nowadays. And some epic fan art has imagined Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom coming face to face with Iron Man's signature helmet.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but fans are seriously hyped about RDJ's return to the shared universe. There are countless questions about how this might go down, and if/how the actor's past as Iron Man is addressed in the pair of blockbusters. What The Russo Brothers are planning is unclear, but fan art on Instagram showed Doctor Doom holding Tony's helmet. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that it all began with Jon Favreau's original Iron Man. So the idea of seeing RDJ addressing that character as Doctor Doom is definitely a thrilling one. Hopefully we get some information about how his return to the MCU will actually work soon.

While the above piece of fan art is pretty epic, artist Adam Spizak imagined a more gory version of his Avengers: Doomsday poster. Once again combining Doom and Iron Man, we see Tony Stark's skull still in said helmet. Check it out below:

Honestly, sign me up. While these images are fan art and not official posters from Marvel Studios, they show just how thrilling it is to fans that Robert Downey Jr. will be back in the shared universe. And the idea that he's going from hero to villain makes this casting news all the more exciting.

With the multiverse in play, it feels like just about anything could happen in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. The fact that RDJ is playing a new role prove that, and there are countless questions exactly how his tenure as Doctor Doom is going to work. Tony Stark's loved ones are likely going to respond very strongly when the new villain ends up looking like the beloved former hero. And if he also happens to reference Iron Man during his introduction, smart money says that it's going to inspire a strong reaction from the Avengers and fans alike.

As previously mentioned, not much about Doomsday and Secret Wars has been officially announced to the public. Casting is seemingly underway, and there have been some thrilling reports including Chris Evans' return to the MCU.

Avengers: Doomsday is expected to hit theaters May 1st, 2026, so the pressure is on to bring the story together. But since it's not part of the 2025 movie release list, the studio is likely going to keep its cards close to the chest for now.

Robert Downey Jr. is preparing to make his triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the role of Doctor Doom, a character he’ll play in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Of course, the beloved actor will always be well known for his winning performance as Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man in the massive franchise. Just this weekend, Downey actually referenced the fictional hero’s legacy in a sweet way while hoping to promote some fresh attractions headed to Disneyland.

This year’s South by Southwest (or SXSW) is currently in effect, and the Austin, Texas-based event has welcomed a slew of stars thus far. During a panel, RDJ made a special appearance alongside Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro. While discussing technology for theme park attractions, the Oscar winner (via THR) explained how Tony Stark’s scientific prowess continues to impact his own life:

When it comes to the MCU, Tony Stark firmly represents the world of technology and how it can be used in positive – and sometimes negative – ways. Stark is always someone who looks ahead, and that tendency helps shape the world around him. As he mentions to Pepper Potts in the original Iron Man movie (which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription), he’s called many things and “nostalgic” isn’t one of them. That forward-facing ideal is commendable, and I can understand why RDJ appreciates it so much.

Honestly, it is still hard to believe that it’s been nearly two decades since Robert Downey Jr. first appeared as the droll and driven Tony Stark. The star, along with a host of writers, directors and producers – helped give Stark a multi-faceted journey that saw him do battle with demons (both internal and external). Back in 2024, Downey reflected on playing Iron Man for so long, saying it’s great to be linked to such a character but joking that the novelty wore off a bit as time went on.

The acclaimed actor will certainly be taking on a new sort of challenge when he steps into the metal shoes of Victor Von Doom. However, it would seem that he’s already all in on the part and is going to great lengths to prepare. Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars directors Joe and Anthony Russo revealed that the star has even been helping to craft Doom’s backstory and more for the upcoming Marvel movies.

But rest assured, fellow fans, as Robert Downey Jr. has totally forsaken Tony Stark. In fact, he’s actually reprising the role for Stark Flight Lab — a new attraction that’s set to open at Disneyland’s Avengers Campus. Also being added to the park is Avengers: Infinity Defense, a new dark ride that’s been described as a multi-world journey. It goes without saying that superhero and theme parks fanatics won’t be left wanting when it comes to Marvel offerings.

I can’t help but smile over the fact that RDJ still feels a closeness to Tony Stark and hope that he does indeed “carry” the character’s appreciation of tech with him for years to come. The actor will make his big-screen debut as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on May 1, 2026. In the meantime, track Stark’s journey by streaming the various Marvel movies in order on Disney+.

We do not necessarily believe that a film’s overall quality lives or dies by the strength of its final line. However, quite a few films have managed to absolutely stick the landing with a concluding quote that would continue to ring in audiences’ heads long after the credits rolled. Relive some of the most iconic last lines in cinematic history in this list and be sure to keep SPOILERS in mind.

"After All, Tomorrow Is Another Day" - Gone With The Wind

When it comes to classic movie quotes, 1937's Gone with the Wind is full of them, with the most memorable of the bunch said by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) just as he leaves Scarlet O'Hara (Vivien Leigh). However, the undeniably iconic and even inspirational final line of the Best Picture Oscar winner is said by her as a form of self-encouragement that there may be some hope for her and her husband.

LAURIE: "It Was The Boogeyman"; LOOMIS: "As A Matter Of Fact, It Was" - Halloween

Throughout John Carpenter's 1978 slasher movie classic, Halloween, the boy Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) babysits, Tommy Doyle (Brian Andrews), expresses great fear of the Boogeyman, whom she insists is no one to be afraid of until she comes face to face with Michael Myers. When Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasance) stops the murderer from attacking the young woman, she declares he is the fabled monster and Loomis agrees.

"In Case I Don't See You, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, And Good Night!" - The Truman Show

The prophetic, paranoid 1998 dramedy, The Truman Show (also one of the best Jim Carrey movies), follows the eponymous everyman as he slowly begins to realize his life is fabricated for television. He gives his fans the perfect send-off with what he had unwittingly made into his official catchphrase before we hear a devoted viewer utter the film's actual final line, "Where's the TV guide?"

"I'll Be Right Here" - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

More than just a great sci-fi movie, Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, is the story of a wonderful friendship that must come to an end when the titular otherworldly visitor boards a spaceship to his home planet. Right before he leaves, he lets young Elliott (Henry Thomas) know that, while they will be worlds apart, he will always remain in his memory.

“All Right, Mr. DeMille, I’m Ready For My Close-Up” - Sunset Boulevard

Every aspiring actor has brought out this oft-quoted line from Sunset Boulevard when living out their dreams of Hollywood stardom. Of course, those who have not seen the 1950 drama may not realize that Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond says this at the peak of her deluded madness and is not even speaking Cecil B. DeMille at the time.

"Well, Nobody's Perfect" - Some Like It Hot

Co-writer, producer, and director Billy Wilder was way ahead of his time when he came up with the gut-busting final stinger of his classic 1959 fish-out-of-water comedy, Some Like It Hot. Jerry (Jack Lemmon), posing in drag as "Daphne," reveals to his fiancé, Osgood (Joe E. Brown), that he is really a man, which the millionaire seems pretty open-minded to.

"Ernest Hemingway Once Wrote, 'The World Is A Fine Place And Worth Fighting For.' I Agree With The Second Part" - Se7en

If not for its final line, spoken by Morgan Freeman's Det. William Somerset in a voiceover, David Fincher's masterful 1995 crime thriller, Se7en, would be entirely devoid of any shred of optimism. Of course, the iconic Black detective's perspective on author Ernest Hemingway's philosophy is still relatively bleak.

"Forget It, Jake. It's Chinatown" - Chinatown

The 1974 film noir movie classic Chinatown ends with private investigator J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Jack Nicholson) forced to move on from the tragedy and injustice he witnessed while investigating a bizarre case in 1930s California, with some plodding encouragement from Lawrence Walsh (Joe Mantell).

"You Met Me At A Very Strange Time In My Life" - Fight Club

The wild ending of 1999's Fight Club sees Edward Norton's Narrator effectively remove his evil other half, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), via gunshot before being reunited with Marla (Helena Bonham Carter). He assures her that the bizarre circumstances they faced together were not typical for him as they watch the buildings surrounding them crumble to the ground.

"Louis, I Believe This Is The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship" - Casablanca

Quite a few of the most iconic quotes in cinematic history come from 1942's Casablanca, including the concluding line, said by Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) to Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) to signify an unlikely bond forming between them.

"And In The Dream I Knew That He Was Goin' On Ahead And He Was Fixin' To Make A Fire Somewhere Out There In All That Dark And All That Cold, And I Knew That Whenever I Got There He Would Be There. And Then I Woke Up" - No Country For Old Men

The ending of 2007's No Country for Old Men, in which the now-retired Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) describes a dream he had about his father to his wife, was polarizing upon release. Of course, it was only disappointing to those who did not initially realize Joel and Ethan Coen's modern Western movie classic is really about the aging lawman's struggle to find meaning in a world full of meaningless violence.

“Because He's The Hero Gotham Deserves, But Not The One It Needs Right Now. So, We'll Hunt him. Because He Can Take It. Because He's Not Our Hero. He's A Silent Guardian, A Watchful Protector. A Dark Knight” - The Dark Knight

It may be an old cliché to start the credits after a character speaks the film's title, but 2008's The Dark Knight makes great use of it with Commissioner James Gordon's (Gary Oldman) explanation to his son, Jimmy (Nathan Gamble), why Batman (Christian Bale) is taking the fall for the tragedies he tried to prevent.

"The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled Was Convincing The World He Didn't Exist. And Like That... He's Gone" - The Usual Suspects

The mindblowing ending of 1995's The Usual Suspects sees Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palmenteri) realize he had been fed a phony, completely improvised story by Roger "Verbal" Kint (Kevin Spacey), the real "Keyser Soze." This is followed by a shot of the clever criminal likening himself to Satan and his cunning nature.

"Life Moves Pretty Fast. You Don't Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It" - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

While Matthew Broderick's fourth-wall-breaking character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a mischievous troublemaker, he makes a great point about the importance of occasionally taking it easy in his final line in John Hughes' 1986 high school movie classic (not counting the post-credit scene, that is).

"I'm Finished" - There Will Be Blood

It is not until the final scene of Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-winning 2007 masterpiece, There Will Be Blood, when blood does hit the screen after Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) murders his rival, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), with a bowling pin at his home, which seems to be the one thing he needed to make his life feel complete.

“Oh No, It Wasn’t The Airplanes. It Was Beauty Killed The Beast” - King Kong

The seminal 1933 monster movie, King Kong, ends with the eponymous ape falling to his death, which filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) remarks was truly caused by his affection for Fay Wray's Ann Darrow.

RAY: "You Wanna Have A Catch?"; JOHN: "I'd Like That" - Field Of Dreams

In one of Kevin Costner's best baseball movies, 1989's Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella (Costner) is reunited with the ghost of his dead father, John (Dwier Brown), with whom he gets to share a long overdue catch.

"The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" - The Maltese Falcon

The 1941 adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon ends with the discovery that the eponymous artifact is a fake. Yet, considering the trouble so many endured to get their hands on it, private investigator Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) acknowledges one way it does possess some value.

“Roads? Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads” - Back To The Future

Initially, there were no plans to make the 1985 time travel movie, Back to the Future, a trilogy, which means that Doc Brown's (Christopher Lloyd) hint at what awaits them 30 years from then was merely a wildly imaginative joke before director Robert Zemeckis brought a "roadless" future to life in the follow-up.

"So Long, Partner" - Toy Story 3

Woody's (Tom Hanks) final goodbye to the grown-up Andy (John Morris) after he leaves him and his other child's playthings to Bonnie was not only a perfect way to end 2010's Toy Story 3, but also the franchise of beloved Pixar movies as a whole. Thus, some feel the otherwise entertaining fourth installment was needless, but we digress.

"Aren't You His Mother?" - Rosemary's Baby

Some great horror movies like to end with a jump scare, but Rosemary's Baby proved that all you need is a chilling final line, such as when Mia Farrow's titular character from the 1968 thriller accepts her role as the mother of the Antichrist in response to Roman Castevet's (Sidney Blackmer) reassuring question.

“I Do Wish We Could Chat Longer, But I’m Having An Old Friend For Dinner” - The Silence Of The Lambs

The escaped Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) ends 1991's The Silence of the Lambs by phoning Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) from the Bahamas and hinting that he has some gruesome plans for the recently arrived Dr. Frederick Chilton (Anthony Heald).

“The Truth Is, I Am Iron Man” - Iron Man

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was essentially born the moment Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) revealed his identity as an armored vigilante at the end of 2008's Iron Man. The now iconic line made an astonishing reprise 11 years later when Stark sacrificed his life to stop Thanos (Josh Brolin) in Avengers: Endgame.

GORDON: "I Never Said 'Thank You'"; BATMAN: "And You'll Never Have To" - Batman Begins

After a rooftop meeting with Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) nobly acknowledges and accepts that his crusade against injustice is a thankless job at the end of Christopher Nolan's first live-action Batman movie, 2005's Batman Begins.

"I Think I Can Go Now. I Just Needed To Do A Couple Things. I Needed To Help Someone. I Think I Did. I Needed To Tell You Something: You Were Never Second. Ever. I Love You. You Sleep Now. Everything Will Be Different In The Morning... Good Night, Sweetheart" - The Sixth Sense

Most would agree that the greatest M. Night Shyamalan movie twist remains that child psychiatrist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is one of the dead people his patient, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), can see, which he realizes at the end of 1999's The Sixth Sense before saying goodbye to his wife Anna (Olivia Williams).

"If This Is Their Idea Of Christmas, I Gotta Be Here For New Year's" - Die Hard

In addition to being a classic action flick, 1988's Die Hard is also a holiday favorite, albeit an unconventional Christmas movie, which is reflected by limo driver Argyle's (De'voreaux White) enthusiastic reaction to the truly explosive event that took place at Nakatomi Plaza on the night before Christmas.

"Why Don't We Just Wait Here For A Little While, See What Happens?" - The Thing

After seemingly defeating the shapeshifting alien that terrorized their Antarctica research base, R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) essentially accepts his fate as he and Childs (Keith David) are the only survivors of the ordeal... or are they? There has been much debate over who is still human at the end of 1982's The Thing, which makes MacReady's quip such a haunting final line.

"I Just Never Want It To End" - MaXXXine

After the traumatic circumstances that Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) endures in both X and her '80s-set self-titled sequel, MaXXXine, seeing her finally achieve her dream to be a Hollywood actor and tearfully wishing that it lasts is an unusually heartwarming moment in Ti West's A24 horror movie.

"It Was Perfect" - Black Swan

Natalie Portman won a rare Oscar for a horror movie performance as Nina Sayers in Darren Aronofsky's 2011 thriller, Black Swan, which ends with the dangerously ambitious ballerina performing the final dance with a bleeding abdomen, which she believes was her magnum opus.

“Now, Where Was I?” - Memento

The ending of Christopher Nolan's 2000 breakthrough thriller, Memento, is really the beginning when Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) learns that the search for his wife's killer has been long over but allows his short-term memory condition to keep him on the case.

"Oh, God" - Avengers: Infinity War

Never had a Marvel movie ended as hopelessly as 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, in which Thanos (Josh Brolin) successfully uses the Infinity Gauntlet to eradicate half of all living beings, leaving the surviving Avengers to helplessly reflect on their defeat, including Steve "Captain America" Rogers (Chris Evans), who utters the final line with heartbreaking desperation.

"I Told Ya" - Accepted

In the underrated college comedy, 2006's Accepted, Jeremy Howard's character, "Freaky Student," aspires to learn how to blow things up with his mind. At the very end, he proves this is possible by demonstrating his ability on the Harmon University dean's car in a hilarious "I told you so" moment.

Although Paul Bettany started out in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the voice of Tony Stark’s AI J.A.R.V.I.S., since 2015, he’s been appearing in this franchise as Vision, who was killed off in Avengers: Infinity War, the 19th of the Marvel movies in order. But in addition to WandaVision seeing Wanda Maximoff recreating her late lover within the Hex she established in Westview, the Disney+ series also saw the original Vision’s body being reactivated as White Vision. That version of the android will be leading his own upcoming Marvel TV show, and word’s come in that an important Iron Man character has been added to the lineup of characters, though I’m pretty confused by this move.

Faran Tahir, who played Raza in the MCU’s first movie, has been tapped to reprise his role in what’s informally been called Vision Quest, per Deadline. You may also recognize Tahir from movies and TV shows like 2009’s Star Trek, Elysium, Warehouse 13, Once Upon a Time, 12 Monkeys and The Old Man. James Spader is also on board to reprise Ultron in the series. Star Trek: Picard’s Todd Stashwick has been added in an undisclosed role, and it’s also rumored that James D’Arcy and Kerry Condon will respectively return as Edwin Jarvis and F.R.I.D.A.Y.

For those of you who need a refresher on Iron Man and don’t have the time to stream the movie with your Disney+ subscription, Raza was the leader of the Ten Rings terrorist cell operating in Afghanistan. He had his men kidnap Tony Stark and attempted to force the billionaire industrialist to build him a Jericho missile, but Tony was able to escape captivity by donning the Mark I Iron Man armor. It was later revealed that Raza had allied himself with Obadiah Stane, but after Jeff Bridges’ character retrieved the remnants of the Mark I to build his Iron Monger suit, he had Raza and his men executed for failing to kill Tony.

Which brings me to why I’m confused: how is Raza still around and able to appear in Vision Quest, which is being showrun by Terry Matalas. Now don’t be wrong, I’ve been absorbing superhero media for a long time, so I know how death is rarely permanent when it comes to stories from Marvel to DC. But when it comes to the MCU, that rule isn’t followed nearly as much, and oftentimes when an actor does reprise their deceased character, it’s either through a flashback, a project set before the character died, or as a variant of that original character.

But this is Raza we’re talking about; I find it hard to believe Obidiah Stane would have bungled killing him, and I would be surprised if there were any cosmic or magical forces at work that brought him back to life. So what’s going on here? Well, I suspect that we won’t actually see Raza resurrected, but rather he'll appear as a representation within Vision’s mind. If he somehow has access to Tony Stark’s memories, then it would make sense why the terrorist would appear before Vision, as he, Ultron, Edwin Jarvis and F.R.I.D.A.Y. were all important parts of Tony’s life, for better or worse.

We’ll find out if my theory is true when Vision Quest premieres sometime in 2026. For now, MCU fans can look forward to shows like Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart and Wonder Man premiering on the 2025 TV schedule.

Since the 1980s Samuel L. Jackson has been providing some of the most memorable moments on screen. With hundreds of credits to his name, he is one of the most recognizable actors of all time. This list is dedicated to some of his best moments in some of his most famous movies. For the sake of the children, we've left off some of his more memorable moments using the colorful language he is good at. But no matter, these moments are all fantastic as well!

Jurassic Park

As the computer tech in Jurassic Park, way too much falls on Samuel L. Jackson's shoulders to save the park and possibly the world. Still, the chain-smoking character does all he can. That includes rebooting the whole system, which means everyone needs to "hold on your butts."

Django Unchained

Jackson's character in Django Unchained is, well, unhinged. The scene where he has Django strung up and explains what kind of slave he intends to make of Django is one of the most insane scenes in a movie full of craziness. It's scary... and fantastic.

Avengers: Infinity War

Throughout the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jackson's character Nick Fury has provided many amazing moments. One of the best is at the end of Avengers: Infinity War after Thanos snaps his fingers. Just as Fury is turning to dust along with half of the universe, he starts to utter the words that have made Samuel L. Jackson famous that involve a mother... only he disappears before he can get the words out.

Coming To America

Well, there isn't much you can quote from his short scene as a potential stick-up man in Coming To America and still keep this list rated PG, so we'll just have to hope that you know exactly what we're talking about here. If you know, you know. And if you don't, we might be forced to thrash you.

A Time to Kill

In a career filled with intense scenes, the one when Jackson's character is on the witness stand during his murder trial in A Time To Kill may be the most intense. When he can't help but burst out why he felt he had to murder the men accused of assaulting his daughter and where he hopes they are burning is just an incredible bit of acting.

Die Hard With A Vengeance

There are a lot of cool scenes in Die Hard With A Vengeance but one that shows exactly what kind of person Jackson's character is when he must answer a phone from the puppet master while facing down a cop who doesn't know what is going on. He HAS TO ANSWER THAT PHONE.

Thor

The post-credit scene in the first Thor movie is great. It's classic Nick Fury, one step ahead of every. Well, everyone but Loki. Still, his cool, calm, and collected demeanor is on full display here.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Throughout the prequel Star Wars movies, Mace Windu could have been a lot cooler. It's just one of the many things to criticize about those films. One thing you can criticize is how cool his death is and how close he came to changing the entire future when he takes on Palpatine in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Had he not been betrayed by Anikin at the moment, there might not have been a need for the rebels, as the Empire would have been dead on arrival. So close, yet so far.

Shaft

Shaft isn't Samuel L. Jackson's best movie, but there are still only a handful of actors who could have ever pulled the role of the private...detective... that won't cop out when there is danger about. He's awesome in the role and while there are plenty of pretty great action scenes, it's the moments like the one in the coffee shop when he confronts the gang members and shows zero intimidation. It sums up all that is John Shaft.

Pulp Fiction

There really isn't a question here - not only is the Ezekiel 25:17 speech his coolest moment in Pulp Fiction, but it's one of the coolest moments in any movie, ever. He's got some other amazing moments in the movie, like his negotiation with the two robbers in the diner at the end, but come on, nothing touches that opening scene in the movie.

Captain America: Winter Soldier

Nick Fury is mostly the guy behind the guys in the MCU. He's the guy motivating and planning for the superheroes and rarely a superhero himself. That isn't the case in Captain America: Winter Soldier when he is attacked in his truck and audiences get to see why he is who he is and why he is trusted to run the whole shebang.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

In Kingsman: The Secret Service, Samuel L. Jackson plays a most unconventional villain. The weirdest moment of the movie has to be when he orders all the McDonalds to eat. It's weird, and yet somehow works in a hilarious way, only adding to his unconventional take on the role. Odd? yes? Memorable? Without question.

Snakes On A Plane

It's clear what scene we're talking about here. It's that scene where he's just had enough. He's sick of all the uh...annoying snakes on the... uh, plane. Snakes on a Plane shouldn't have been the hit that it was and that line, and his delivery of that line, is 100% made it a hit. Truly memorable.

The Great White Hype

Some people don't appreciate The Great White Hype. Many haven't even heard of it, but it's one of the more underrated comedies of the '90s and in it Jackson plays a boxing promoter loosely based on Don King. His negotiation with the #1 contender for a title shot is one of the funniest scenes in the movie, with Jamie Foxx matching Jackson line for line, but Jackson's character coming out on top, of course.

Menace II Society

The poker game in Menace II Society is scary. Though Samuel L. Jackson only has a supporting role as the gangster father of Caine, everything a viewer needs to know about him is shown in that one scene when he gets angry at another player for owing him money and shoots him dead right there at the table. In front of his young son.

Do The Right Thing

Samuel L. Jackson is the epitome of cool in Do The Right Thing as the DJ of the local station. The opening monologue sets up the movie beautifully and it's a voice you can listen to all day, just like the characters in the movie do.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Nick Fury is not only known for being tough as nails, he also provides a lot of comic relief in the MCU. Take, for example, his exchange with Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Fury can't believe he's ended up in Parker's bedroom arguing with a teenager. We feel you, Nick.

The Banker

The best scene in The Banker isn't the golf course scene, but getting to see Samuel L. Jackson in 1960s golfing attire makes it the most memorable. It's just so great you want to spend the whole movie there, watching him in that getup.

Argylle

2024's Argylle was met with mostly mixed reviews and while some loved it, others found it just too meta and annoying. Like his role in another Matthew Vaughn film, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Jackson is really only seen a few times on screen and each time is memorable, like when has his eyes scratched out in what has to be a nod to the MCU, right?

Iron Man

At the time, no one could have known just how big the MCU would become, but Nick Fury seemed to know all along when, in the post-credit scene in Iron Man, Fury shows up at Tony Starks home and proposes the "Avenger Initiative." It's among the most memorable scenes in the whole franchise and we didn't even know it at the time.

The Hateful Eight

Director Quentin Tarantino clearly loves writing characters for Samuel L. Jackson as every time he's in one of Tarantino's movies, it leaves a lingering impression. Like the scene in The Hateful Eight when Jackson's character tells Bruce Dern's character that he knew the day Dern's character's son died, it was the day he met him. It's a line you'll never forget.

xXx

xXx is a way better movie than a lot of critics give it credit for. Sure it's completely ridiculous and "over-the-top" doesn't even begin to describe how off-the-wall it is. But it's got some amazing action sequences, like the one in the diner when Jackson's character recruits the titular "XXX" played by Vin Diesel.

The Avengers

Nick Fury has a lot of inspiring moments in the MCU and at the top of the list of his best is the speech he gives to the assembled Avengers after Phil Coulson is killed. There is no doubt you want to run through a wall for both Nick and Phil after that speech in The Avengers.

Patriot Games

Sometimes people forget that Samuel L. Jackson is even in Patriot Games, despite being in a scene that everyone remembers. After Jack Ryan returns to teaching after thwarting the attack on the Royals in London, he is presented the "Order of the Purple Target" by his fellow teachers at the Naval Academy, namely one played by Jackson.

Jackie Brown

Samuel L. Jackson's character in Jackie Brown has a wild look and an even crazier disposition. That attitude comes through most clearly in the scene Jackson shares with Chris Tucker where he convinces Tucker's character to get into the trunk of his car so he can murder him. Talk about unforgettable...

Captain Marvel

At the end of Captain Marvel, after we all learn how Nick Fury lost his eye, we learn something else - how he named The Avengers Initiative. It turns out, it comes from Carol Danvers' call sign etched on the side of her plane that he has a photo of. It's a pinnacle moment in the series, and we learn about how important Captain Marvel was from the very beginning.

Hard Eight

Samuel L. Jackson really makes the most out of a somewhat small, but very pivotal role in Paul Thomas Anderson's debut film Hard Eight. Though his character meets an unceremonious end, it's not until after he has an amazing scene with Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) after confronting him about some old business.

Black Snake Moan

Jackson's role in Black Snake Moan is... hard to take. The whole movie is pretty hard to watch and even if you understand his character's motivations, his actions don't really justify the means to the end. Still, that scene in the beginning when his character is rocking out on stage is at once very cool, but also a little bit scary as Jackson really shows the audience both sides of the character.

Sphere

Sphere really could have been a great movie. The film was adapted from the Michael Crichton novel of the same name, but it all felt a bit rushed like it was produced and filmed too quickly to cash in on the hype of Jurassic Park. Still, it has some cool scenes like when Jackson's character confronts the realization that they all may die down in the deep.

Long Kiss Goodnight

Long Kiss Goodnight is a decent action flick with some great comedic moments between the two co-stars, Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson plays a detective hired by Davis' character to find out about her past, which she doesn't remember prior to being found washed ashore eight years early. It turns out that Davis' character is a former CIA assassin and like Jason Bourne has retained her training, if not her memory. In one scene she scolds Jackson to "take lessons" on fighting someone and he responds that he "took lessons!"

Rules of Engagement

There is something about Samuel L. Jackson on the stand in a court of law that really brings the best out of the actor. Just like in A Time To Kill, he's at his best in Rules of Engagement when he is being interrogated and it's a completely unforgettable scene, admitting he did what he was accused of doing but having good reason for it.

True Romance

Even if a movie is only written by Quentin Tarantino but not directed by him, like True Romance, it's like the words were only supposed to be delivered by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson really only has one line in the movie and each word is dirtier than the last as he explains what he likes to do with the women he hooks up with. It's one of the most iconic moments in the movie, even if it's only a minute or so long.

Luck was on Jeremy Renner’s side last year when the MCU actor was injured by his own snowplow and lived to tell the tale. Fortunately, the American actor/musician is still thriving with new acting projects and love from all those who know him. As it’s been almost two years since his accident, Renner updated the public on how he’s recovering with a blunt, yet surprising MCU-related pun that’s on point.

Jeremy Renner is known for playing the superhero Hawkeye in the Marvel movies. While the Academy Award nominee doesn’t go around shooting arrows in real life, he was a real-life superhero for his nephew during his devastating snowplow incident at the start of 2023. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office reported that The Hurt Locker actor was using his PistenBully snowcat to help move his adult nephew’s truck from the driveway after experiencing a huge snowfall.

However, as the emergency brake wasn’t set when Jeremy Renner exited the vehicle, the snow groomer began to move sideways down a hill toward the path of his nephew. That’s when the Hawkeye actor attempted to get back into the PistenBully by climbing onto its moving track, only to get “pulled under” and run over. While speaking about his recovery at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival (via Variety) Renner jokingly said the following to describe how he feels:

It’s true that Jeremy Renner is technically part Iron Man now. He suffered blunt chest trauma and broke 38 bones in the accident which involved titanium implants. He explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that his left shin was metal along with half of his face and the right side of his back. Despite the “excruciating pain” of his injuries, the American Hustle actor pulled through saying the biggest change of his life following his recovery is to prioritize quality time with his loved ones.

Nearly two years after Jeremy Renner’s almost-fatal accident, the highly paid MCU actor returned to work on his series Mayor of Kingston and recorded his new album Love and Titanium with written songs reflecting the milestones of his recovery. The talented actor even said at the Red Sea Film Festival that he plans to write a book on his brush with death and the reflections that came after. Renner spoke about a defining feature that played a key role in his recovery from his tragic ordeal:

Defining moments like almost meeting death shows just how much love is in your life. After Jeremy Renner’s crazy snowplow accident, his MCU buddies wished him well, like Chris Evans sending love on social media, as well as him and Scarlett Johansson visiting Renner in the hospital. Ant-Man’s Paul Rudd made a viral get-well Cameo, inspiring site-wide messages from many fans.

Jeremy Renner’s recovery journey also brought overwhelming love from his family, like his daughter showing support by leaving little notes of encouragement throughout the house. He also received love from his young nephew, who shared a sweet message that he's lucky he has Hawkeye as an uncle and that he’s alive. The Arrival actor is more than aware of the levels of support he’s gotten as he shared a heartwarming message to fans who stuck with him through his recovery that it was “noticed and deeply felt every day.”

The Town actor, of course, would fit Iron Man into his recovery of being “25% titanium.” Even if Jeremy Renner is joking in the moment, he truly is a real superhero, as his snowplow accident could have had a totally different outcome. But he overcame the odds and will continue to make a mark on the entertainment industry and on those who love him.

You can watch Jeremy Renner in his new season of Mayor of Kingstown with your Paramount+ subscription. You can also revisit his MCU projects with your Disney+ subscription.

As the Captain America: Brave New World release date approaches in less than three months, Marvel fans can look forward to seeing Anthony Mackie leading his first movie as Captain America. But since we learned that Robert Downey Jr. will be the next big Avengers villain, we’re already looking forward to the reunion between the Marvel stars. Mackie recently had a great response to the upcoming matchup, too.

In a newly released interview when Mackie and Danny Ramirez were in Brazil for the country’s own D23, the new Captain America reacted to fighting Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom once the former Iron Man actor takes up the role. In his words:

While RDJ was leading the Avengers team to glory against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame back in 2019, oh how the tables have turned. When speaking to Nerdbunker, the Captain America actor joked that the Oscar-winner has earned what’s coming for him when he debuts as Doctor Doom. He’s expected to make his big debut when the Avengers: Doomsday release date arrives in May 2026. His new MCU character is also expected to lead Avengers: Secret Wars, which comes out the following year.

During this summer’s Marvel showing at Hall H during San Diego Comic-Con, the studio shocked audiences when the Iron Man actor made a surprise appearance to announce he’ll be playing Doctor Doom in two upcoming Marvel movies.

While it was previously supposed to be Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror to follow Thanos as the Avengers’ next big villain, after Majors dealt with legal issues and allegations, the MCU decided to pivot to Doctor Doom instead. Since we’re in The Multiverse Saga, there’s something perhaps twistedly poetic about Downey being the team’s next adversary.

Fans have been mixed on Downey’s casting thus far, but there is something kind of fun about the Avengers cast getting to have beef with RDJ and his character after his amazing legacy as Tony Stark. Previously, Anthony Mackie made similar comments when speaking about the Doctor Doom reveal overshadowing the Brave New World footage at SDCC. Mackie joked he hopes he gets to “punch” RDJ in the next Avengers movie.

After Iron Man got an iconic ending with Avengers: Endgame by sacrificing himself for the universe by defeating Thanos after using the Infinity Stones to reverse the villain’s plot, it will certainly be interesting to see the actor get a chance to play a very different role in the MCU. He'll be reuniting with the Russo Brothers for the two Avengers films, which reportedly was a condition for his return.

You can check out Mackie in the latest Captain America: Brave New World trailer ahead of its release on February 14, 2025.

The first Iron Man movie was a huge movie in the history of Hollywood for more reasons than you may realize. Yes, it’s the movie that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it was also the movie that turned Robert Downey Jr. into an A-list movie star and Jon Favreau into one of the top filmmakers in the world. It’s not surprising the two bonded over the experience.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau have a number of relationships on and off screen, but in reality, the two have become close friends. The pair spoke previously to Forbes about their relationship and Favreau, who famously fought to cast Downey as Tony Stark when the studio was unsure, says Downey has since done the same for him. Favreau explained…

Behind the scenes, Favreau directed Downey in the first two Iron Man movies. On screen Favreau plays Tony Stark’s employee but also his friend. In reality, it seems clear the two are true friends, who have continued to support each other throughout their careers. Favreau moved on from Marvel to becoming one of the architects of the modern Star Wars franchise. Downey has become one of the most in-demand actors across Hollywood who recently won an Academy Award.

But the friendship between Downey and Favreau is more than just friends. Downey himself says the pair are like brothers, not just in their closeness but in the way the two of them can occasionally have disagreements. Downey said…

At this point it doesn’t really seem like either Downey or Favreau need the other to help them with opportunities. Both of them have plenty of opportunities, but that’s because of the success the two have had with those opportunities they were given early on. Both stars have continued to find success and it seems sure that each of them has enjoyed watching the other succeed. As Favreau puts it…

With Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU, and Favreau’s Happy Hogan still part of it, appearing as recently as Deadpool & Wolverine, the two friends may find themselves together once again.

If you are like me, and you grew up watching the Marvel movies in order, it’s always a special occasion when Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow are spotted together. After years of seeing them play Tony Stark and Pepper Potts in the MCU, I adore the fact that they’re also close in real life. Most recently, they showed their love for each other by celebrating RDJ’s Broadway debut with a sweet photo.

Before Downey makes his way back to the MCU to play Doctor Doom, he’s making a stop on Broadway to play the lead in the new play MCNEAL. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar, the show stars The Sympathizer actor as a writer named Jacob McNeal who is struggling to complete his new book and reconnect with his son. The show also focuses a lot on AI and the dilemmas that come with it. To celebrate this momentous achievement, Paltrow made her way to The Lincoln Center Theater to see her former scene partner, and she posted this sweet image on her Instagram:

The play has a very limited engagement, and it will play through November 24. So, the Shakespeare in Love actress made sure to make her way to the Big Apple to show some love for her pal.

These two actors have a history of consistently showing their appreciation for each other, and it’s always lovely to see after watching them on screen as Tony and Pepper since 2008.

Over the last year, The Judge actor has been on a roll as he won award after award for his performance in Oppenheimer. When he got nominated, Paltrow called him “brother,” and made sure to note that it was his year to win.

Then, when Downey won the Oscar, Paltrow posted the sweetest video of her watching him accept the award while she was getting her hair done.

Clearly, she loves being his cheerleader – even if her reaction to his Doctor Doom casting was “I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?” – and we love to see it!

Now, it’s time for the Iron Man star to return the favor. For the first time since Avengers: Endgame, Gwyneth Paltrow is returning to act in a film. She’s set to star alongside Timothée Chalamet in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme. While she’s had a couple of roles in shows like The Politician in 2020 and American Horror Stories in 2021, for the most part, she’s stepped away from performing. So, we can’t wait to see her back on screen!

Hopefully, all this will include some hype from Robert Downey Jr. too. It’s always lovely to see them together – like they were at this play – and I imagine he’ll be thrilled to support his long-time on-screen love interest when her next project comes out.

At the moment, Paltrow’s Marty Supreme doesn’t have a premiere date. However, it’ll likely be on the 2025 movie schedule. As for the Sherlock Holmes actor, he’ll be on Broadway for another month and a half. After that, it’s unclear what he has planned for the short term, but, Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit the big screen in 2026.

So, hopefully, all this means we’ll get more fun Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. reunions! However, as we hold out to see those, you can see them as Pepper and Tony in the Iron Man and Avengers movies by streaming them with a Disney+ subscription.

When you think of the Marvel movies in order, what probably comes to mind immediately are the eclectic characters, major action sequences and iconic lines among other things. You may not consider, however, food when thinking about the allure of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yes, the franchise offers comic book-esque thrills, but there are also some excellent scenes that effectively involve fine cuisine. So, without further ado, let’s discuss some of those.

Tony Stark Eating Cheeseburgers (Iron Man)

One of the earliest instances of food being prominently featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in 2008’s Iron Man, specifically after Tony Stark returns home following his escape from the Ten Rings’ clutches. While asking to call a press conference, Stark also says he wants “an American cheeseburger,” leading his limo driver to stop by Burger King for a few. It’s a funny bit but also adds to Stark’s characterization (and it’s paid off during a sweet scene in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame).

Tony Stark Eating New York Style Pizza (Iron Man)

In Iron Man, the villainous Obadiah Stane (a.k.a. Iron Monger) buys Tony Stark pizza from New York while delivering the news that the Stark Industries board has voted Tony out of his position. (That move is Stane’s idea but he doesn’t reveal it at the time). The large pie looks absolutely delicious, and I can understand why Stane won’t let Stark take the whole pizza after the latter refuses to reveal his latest project (the Iron Man suit) to him.

Bruce Banner Bribes A Security Guard And Grad Student With Pizza (The Incredible Hulk)

A significant portion of The Incredible Hulk takes place in New York, so it’s fitting that pizza played a role in the story. Bruce Banner, with help from friend and pizzeria owner Stanley, uses a couple of pies to bribe a Culver City grad student and a security guard while trying to find his research. Even though Banner doesn’t find what he is looking for, the pies certainly serve their purpose.

Tony Stark Eating Donuts At Randy’s Donuts (Iron Man 2)

Iron Man 2 may be a lower-ranked Marvel movie, but it does feature a number of memorable MCU moments. Among them is a scene that involves an armor-clad Tony Stark sitting in a donut at Randy’s Donuts while eating (you guessed it) donuts. The situation is on-brand for Stark but also represents his reckless attitude amid his palladium poisoning.

Thor Chows Down At A Diner (Thor)

The God of Thunder’s first solo film sees him visiting a diner alongside Jane Foster and his other new allies from Earth. While there, Thor scarfs down plenty of food as well as coffee, before breaking the mug and asking for another. This may be played for laughs, but it perfectly sums up Odinson’s initially arrogant nature.

Colonel Phillips Enjoys A Steak (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Good food is hard to come by in the World War II-centric Captain America: The First Avenger, though Colonel Chester Phillips manages to enjoy a steak dinner, complete with potatoes and veggies. There’s a greater purpose to the meal, though, as Phillips uses it as a tool while interrogating HYDRA's Arnim Zola.

Phil Coulson Shops For Snacks At A Gas Station (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer)

The Marvel One-Shot A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer sees Phil Coulson skillfully thwart a robbery in a gas station while en route to New Mexico. If you enjoy food like me, though, what likely stands out the most is the fact that he’s only at the station to shop for snacks. And he ends up purchasing two sets of mini donuts, in case you were wondering.

Tony Stark And Bruce Banner Eat Blueberries (The Avengers)

You know you’re becoming friends when you start sharing snacks! In The Avengers, one of Tony Stark and Bruce Banner’s earliest “Science Bros.” scenes involves them eating blueberries while working alongside each other on the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. It truly marks the start of a beautiful friendship.

The Avengers Eat Shawarma (The Avengers)

Few scenes in the MCU are as iconic as The Avengers’ post-credit Shawarma scene, which was a last-minute addition. The moment happens after Earth’s Mightiest Heroes take down Loki and the Chitauri amid the Battle of New York, and it marks the first of many meals shared by the heroic cohorts.

Tony Stark And James “Rhodey” Rhodes Grab A Meal (Iron Man 3)

Iron Man 3 offers fans a quick glimpse of a lunch meet-up between best friends Tony Stark and James Rhodes. Rhodey’s fries and Tony’s veggies look delectable, but what truly makes the scene important is that it marks the first of several panic attacks for Stark.

Scott Lang’s Friend Kurt Enjoys Chinese Food (Ant-Man)

Before Ant-Man’s cool post-credits scenes, viewers are treated to a closing scene that sees Scott Lang meeting up with his buddies in San Francisco’s Chinatown. It’s there that Kurt chows down on good Chinese food, while Luis reveals to Scott that Avenger Sam Wilson has been asking about him. The food doesn't play a big role, but the restaurant and environmental ambiance are "sublime" as Luis would say.

Vision Tries To Cook (Captain America: Civil War)

The relationship between Wanda Maximoff and Vision really begins to blossom in Captain America: Civil War, and that’s especially evident during a scene that takes place in the Avengers Facility. It sees Vision trying to cook a meal for Maximoff and, while chatting over his lack of culinary skills, they discuss their superhuman powers. It’s a shame the meet-cute is cut short by the reveal that Vision is keeping Wanda from leaving the compound.

Peter And May Parker Have Thai Food (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

A meal is a good way for family members to bond, and that’s what Peter Parker and his (younger) Aunt May kind of do when they have dinner at a Thai restaurant in Spider-Man: Homecoming. The larb-centric scene not only further solidifies the love May has for her nephew but also the natural attraction that someone – like a friendly waiter – can feel towards her.

Hope Van Dyne Has A Fight In A Hotel Kitchen (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

Ant-Man and the Wasp features some truly creative sequences that take advantage of the titular protagonists’ shrinking abilities. Chief among them is a sequence that sees a small Hope van Dyne fending off thugs in a kitchen while avoiding being crushed like a tomato and chopped like a carrot.

Drax Eats Zarg Nuts In Front Of Peter Quill And Gamora (Avengers: Infinity War)

When discussing the funniest moments from Avengers: Infinity War, one has to mention the “invisible” scene. It sees Drax creeping on fellow Guardians of the Galaxy Peter Quill and Gamora while he’s eating Zarg Nuts. That’s funny enough on its own, but what makes the scene sing is Drax’s assertion that his movements are so slow that he’s invisible to the naked eye.

Natasha Romanoff Eats A Peanut Butter Sandwich That Scott Lang Grabs Later (Avengers: Endgame)

Peanut butter sandwiches usually represent joy and comfort, but the sight of Natasha Romanoff eating one while trying to maintain composure while meeting with the Avengers in Endgame is just tragic. It’s a representation of her grief, which is further expressed when she talks to Steve Rogers after the meeting. A glimmer of hope comes later, however, as Scott Lang – who is newly released from the Quantum Realm – arrives and takes a bite out of the sandwich.

Bruce Banner Eats A Lot Of Food At A Diner (Avengers: Endgame)

It’s rare that fans are able to witness a Hulk eat, but it’s even rarer that they see a Smart Hulk chow down. That’s exactly what happens in Avengers: Endgame, when Scott Lang, Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers meet up with Bruce Banner at a diner to recruit him for their time heist. It’s there that Banner scarfs down giant pancakes, sausage and a bowl of scrambled eggs.

Bruce Banner Shares Tacos With Scott Lang (Avengers: Endgame)

Scott Lang has plenty of good, super-powered friends, including resident Hulk Bruce Banner. That’s evidenced by the fact that after Scott’s taco is blown away – due to Nebula and Rocket Raccoon’s ship landing in front of the Avengers Facility – Banner shares two more tacos with Scott. If that doesn't represent friendship goals, then I don’t know what does.

Rocket Raccoon Teases Scott Lang While The Avengers Eat Together (Avengers: Endgame)

Aside from Infinity War, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have shared a meal in the Avengers movies. Endgame sees the crew eating while plotting their time heist and, while enjoying some tasty-looking Chinese food, Rocket humorously teases Lang for his ignorance when it comes to space travel. (And, if you look, you can also see Hulk eating a tub of ice cream.)

Wanda Maximoff Tries To Cook Dinner (WandaVision)

How does a witch cook dinner? Well, WandaVison shows that when it comes to Wanda Maximoff, cooking involves levitating pots, pans and a whole chicken. The sitcom-esque scene is funny but also exemplifies Wanda and her husband Vision’s attempts to adapt to domestic life while keeping their superhuman abilities under wraps.

Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes And Co. Have A Cookout (The Falcon And The Winter Soldier)

There’s a lot for viewers to digest in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s finale, but one of the sweetest moments sees Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes and co. digesting some good food. During the miniseries’ closing moments, a celebratory cookout is held in Louisiana, which includes succulent seafood, perfect pies and a cake brought by Bucky.

Loki Destroys Mobius’ Salad (Loki Season 1)

It’s never cool to mess up someone’s meal, and that’s what Loki does when he confronts TVA operative Mobius M. Mobius and tries to explain his theory of individuals using natural disasters to hide within points in time. Loki specifically does this by using salt, pepper and water to destroy the salad Mobius intends to have for lunch.

Shang-Chi Has Dinner With His Father (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

Warm, family dinners are featured in several MCU productions, but that’s not the case in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The eponymous hero, his friend, Katy, and sister, Xu Xialing, break bread with the two siblings’ estranged father, Wenwu (a.k.a. the Mandarin) for the first time in years. The food looks good enough to eat, but it’s the tension you can cut through with a knife.

The Eternals Enjoy A Meal Together (Eternals)

After spending centuries on Earth apart, the members of the Eternals reunite in the lead-up to the Emergence. The group stops in Australia to find Sersi and Gilgamesh, who makes a scrumptious meal for his family. However, Gilgamesh’s homemade beer, which is made with corn kernels fermented in his own spit, doesn’t sound that great.

Clint Barton And His Kids Have Dinner At A Chinese Restaurant (Hawkeye)

Hawkeye sees Clint Barton making up for lost time with his family by hanging out with his kids in New York, where they see Rogers: The Musical (which spawned a real show). A particularly warm moment sees the four Bartons eating at a Chinese restaurant and enjoying an impressive spread that’s enough to make one’s mouth water.

Yelena Belova Eats Macaroni And Cheese With Hot Sauce (Hawkeye)

If there’s any scene from Hawkeye that fans need to see, it’s the moment Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova meet. Belova breaks into Bishop’s apartment to discuss her mission to kill Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye. For the meet-up, Yelena prepares macaroni and cheese and adds hot sauce to it. Few MCU feud scenes get better than this one (and it served as a “dream day” on set for actress Florence Pugh).

Steven Grant Takes Over A Cupcake Delivery Van (Moon Knight)

While being chased through the Alps by cult leader Arthur Harrow’s forces on Moon Knight, Steven Grant commandeers a delivery van full of cupcakes. He doesn’t actually partake in the scrumptious-looking treats, but is able to use some to ward off his attackers.

America Chavez Eats Pizza Balls (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness)

Stephen Strange visits a few alternate universes with America Chavez during the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In one of them, Chavez snags some pizza balls without paying for them, drawing the ire of street vendor Pizza Poppa. What results is a gag that isn’t humorously tied up until the MoM post-credits scene.

Yusuf Khan Enjoys Food While Nakia Bahadir Asks For His Vote At Eid Celebration (Ms. Marvel)

Food, music and fun abound during the Eid al-Adha celebration depicted on Ms. Marvel. Kamala Khan’s father, Yusuf, indulges in the goodies and does so when his daughter’s best friend, Nakia Bahadir, approaches him for his support in her campaign for board member of their mosque. The food looks great, but Nakia’s pitch really steals the scene, to be honest.

Loki And Mobius Eat Key Lime Pie (Loki Season 2)

The Time Variance Authority offers up some great-looking food as evidenced by the exquisite key lime pie that’s available in the cafeteria. Loki and Mobius enjoy it while discussing their plan to interrogate rogue operative Hunter X-05 (a.k.a. Brad Wolfe) as well as Mobius’ stolen life. Hearty desserts are definitely needed when discussing such heavy subject matter.

Mobius And Hunter X-05 Eat At McDonald’s (Loki Season 2)

Not many people can withstand the appeal of a meal from McDonald’s, and that includes some MCU characters, apparently. Loki, Mobius M. Mobius and Hunter X-05 (or Brad Wolfe) seek out Sylvie Laufeydottir in a branched timeline in 1982 Oklahoma. It’s there that Sylvie works at a Mickey D’s and, while Loki confronts Laufeydottir, Mobius orders a burger, fries and a milkshake for Brad. The sight of the meal is enough to make one hungry.

Agatha Harkness Eats A Corn Dog (Agatha All Along)

After being rescued from Wanda Maximoff’s spell by “Teen” on Agatha All Along, Agatha Harkness seeks to form a coven so that she can walk the Witches’ Road and reclaim her powers. It’s while Harkness and Teen are at the mall scoping out potential member Alice Wu-Gulliver that Agatha munchs on a corn dog. Who knew gathering witches could make a person so hungry?

As one goes through the Marvel movies in order, whether it’s with their physical/digital copies or by streaming them with a Disney+ subscription, one big truth becomes apparent above all others: Tony Stark is a funny guy. Ok, so maybe that’s not the most important takeaway from this franchise, but Robert Downey Jr. definitely got to deliver a lot of the MCU’s most humorous lines while he brought the superhero known as Iron Man to life. These are the 32 of the funniest ones.

“I don't want to see this on your MySpace page. Please no gang signs. No, throw it up, I’m kidding”

Tony Stark said this to a soldier who asked for a picture with him early on into Iron Man, joking around when the guy flashes the peace symbol for the shit. It’s a nice moment of lightheartedness before the convoy is attacked and the future superhero is kidnapped by terrorists.

“That man is playing Galaga! Thought we wouldn't notice. But we did.”

While aboard the Helicarrier during The Avengers speaking with Nuck Fury and most of the other starring characters, Tony calls out a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent for playing a classic video game during his work time. Later on, we see that Tony was indeed telling the truth rather than just dropping one of his classic quips.

“I loved you in A Christmas Story, by the way.”

Tony Stark and James Rhodes’ conversation in that restaurant early into Iron Man 3 is a serious affair for the most part, as he learns more about the attacks on the United States and suffers a panic attack. In a brief moment of levity, though, he observed that a little kid asking for an autograph with his sister resembled Ralphie from the 1983 holiday classic.

“That's not a hug, I'm just grabbing the door for you.”

Tony Stark may have recruited Peter Parker to help him out during Captain America: Civil War, but they didn’t become close right off the bat. Sure, Tony was generous enough to let Peter keep his high-tech Spider-Man suit, but they weren’t on hugging terms yet, as evidenced when Tony said this to Peter in his car early on in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

“Honestly, until this exact second, I thought you were a Build-a-Bear.”

Tony Stark was near death when Captain Marvel found him and Nebula a few weeks during the beginning of Avengers: Endgame, so the beginning of his recovery back on Earth obviously shouldn’t be humorous. However, one funny line is snuck in when Tony has the above reaction upon hearing Rocket speak for the first time.

“That means get lost, Squidward!”

When Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian showed up on Earth to seize the Time Stone from Doctor Strange in Avengers: Infinity War, the Master of the Mystic Arts told them they were trespassing on New York City and Earth. Tony translated that by referring to Maw as the popular SpongeBob Squarepants character, and admittedly, there is a resemblance.

“I’m not a joiner, but I’ll consider Secretary of Defense if you ask nice.”

After Rhodey had to read a specific selection from his report about the Iron Man armor that painted Tony Stark in a bad light, he then tried to play some damage control during Iron Man 2’s congressional hearing by noting how the benefits of the armor outweighed the liabilities, even suggesting Tony be folded into “the existing chain of command.” Cue Tony’s wisecrack about his preferred Cabinet position.

“Manchurian Candidate, you're killing me. We're on a truce. Put the gun down.”

That’s what Tony said to Bucky Barnes when the latter pointed his rifle at the former, surprised that their pro-Sokovian Accords adversary had tracked him and Steve Rogers down to the HYDRA Siberian facility. It’s too bad that the truce didn’t last long after Tony found out Winter Soldier killed his parents.

“Drop your socks and grab your crocs, we're about to get wet on this ride.”

Even though Tony said this while flying through a fountain on the Stark Expo grounds to avoid being gunned down by Justin Hammer’s drones and Rhodey in his War Machine armor, which were all hijacked by Ivan Vanko, this was still a random thing for him to blurt out. Its unexpectedness, however, ironically makes it all the funnier.

“Wait a second. Is no one going to comment that Cap just said ‘Language’?”

At the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron when Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are fighting Baron Strucker’s HYDRA cell, Tony hits the invisible force field covering the terrorist base and exclaims a swear. Steve Rogers, a product of the 1940s, couldn’t help but blurt out his issue with the curse word, but since this took place in the 2010s, Tony of course had to give him grief for it.

“Your work on anti-electron collisions is unparalleled. And I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster.”

How do you praise Bruce Banner for both his scientific work and his ability to turn into The Hulk? Just say what Tony Stark did above. Ok, maybe use a bit more tact, but Bruce didn’t seem too taken aback by the comment.

“Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing.”

Pepper Potts discovered Tony was Iron Man in his first movie when she found one of his machines awkwardly removing his armor following his mission to Gulmira. I don’t fault him for trying to break the tension with some innuendo, but obviously it failed to hit.

“Wong, you’re invited to my wedding.”

Tony Stark and Wong had only just met when they were forced to team up against Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian alongside Doctor Strange and Spider-Man. But you can count on Wong to have one’s back, as evidenced when he sent Obsidian through a portal before he could land a blow, leading Tony to invite him to his impending nuptials.

“… Which happens, dads leave, no need to be a pussy about it.”

You’d think Tony would be more compassionate towards a kid telling him that his dad abandoned his family six years earlier, especially since Harley was allowing him to hide in his shed while on the run. Instead, and frankly keeping in character, he brushes aside that piece of information and instead requests various items to help him fix his armor.

“If you douse me again, and I'm not on fire, I'm donating you to a city college.”

There were a pair of arm robots named Dum-E and Dum-U that were used in his workshop during the Iron Man movies, though they weren’t exactly the smartest machines. Dum-E in particular was a little too trigger-happy with the fire extinguisher while Tony was testing his Mark II armor, resulting in him making this threat.

“Mr. Stark displays textbook... narcissism... Agreed.”

Tony Stark may have emerged victorious at the end of Iron Man 2, but the events of the movie led to Nick Fury deciding that while the Iron Man armor was worthy of being part of the Avengers Initiative, Tony himself was not. That narcissism was just one of the reasons for this, but at least Tony had the self-awareness to recognize this was an accurate assessment.

“Uh, Shakespeare in the park? Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?”

Thor and Tony didn’t get off to the best of starts when they met in The Avengers, with the former forcefully seizing Loki back from the latter and the wholesome Captain America. When Tony caught back up and retaliated against Thor in kind, the God of Thunder warned him he didn’t know what he was dealing with, leading Iron Man to amusingly speculate it was something Shakespearean.

“Dude, you're embarrassing me in front of the wizards.”

Although Tony was obviously glad to see Bruce back in Avengers: Infinity War, he was irritated not long afterward when his fellow Avenger failed to transform into The Hulk as Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian were approaching. The Green Goliath wouldn’t emerge again for the rest of that movie, and by Avengers: Endgame, Bruce merged his two selves together to create Smart Hulk.

“Oh, you would love her. Very practical. Only a tiny bit sadistic.”

After Thanos used the Infinity Stones at the end of Infinity War, Tony and Nebula were the only heroes left standing on Titan. They fixed the Guardians of the Galaxy’s ship as best they could and attempted to reach Earth. During the trip, Tony recorded a message for Pepper Potts and described Nebula to her as seen above.

“Yeah, I’d say most countries 5, 10 years away, Hammer Industries, 20.”

There was concern from the United States government during Iron Man 2 that other countries could replicate the Iron Man suit for their own purposes. So Tony decided to commandeer the screens at the Congressional hearing to show that this wasn’t something to be worried about, especially when it came to Justin Hammer.

“Actually, he’s the boss. I just pay for everything and design everything, make everyone look cooler.”

When Maria Hill referred to Tony as “boss” in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he quickly corrected her and told her that Captain America was actually the leader of the superhero team… despite all that Tony did with his intellect and vast resources. I detect a smidge of bitterness in his response.