Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr. introduced his return to the Marvel superhero movies throughout a blockbuster Disney presentation at Comic-Con Saturday, as the corporate makes an attempt to reinvigorate its all-time record-grossing film franchise.
Harrison Ford and Pedro Pascal had been additionally formally unveiled amongst a batch of recent stars becoming a member of the film franchise, which has grossed an unprecedented $30 billion on the field workplace, however in recent times has suffered plenty of high-profile flops.
Marvel movie president Kevin Feige unveiled new particulars about a number of upcoming superhero films in entrance of a crowd of screaming devotees on the San Diego, California gathering on Saturday — however no person drew a louder response than the returning Downey Jr.
The actor, who launched your complete Marvel film universe with 2008’s “Iron Man,” will return as a very totally different character — Doctor Doom, a distinguished villain within the Marvel comedian books — it was revealed.
He appeared anonymously on stage amongst a bunch of hooded and masked figures, earlier than stepping ahead and revealing his much-rumored return.
“New mask. Same task. What’d I tell you? I like playing complicated characters,” stated Downey Jr, to the delight of the assembled Marvel obsessives.
Downey Jr. gained an Oscar this yr for his function in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” and had seemingly retired from the Marvel movies in 2019.
The presentation was the most popular ticket of the four-day popular culture extravaganza, with followers lining up for hours to get a coveted seat.
Marvel followers have complained in recent times about over-complicated plotlines and the departure of beloved characters, together with Downey Jr’s Iron Man, with some calling for a wholesale reboot of the flicks.
The franchise was additionally rocked by home violence revelations about actor Jonathan Majors, who had been set to develop into the main new supervillain throughout a number of movies.
Majors, who was convicted for assaulting and harassing his then-girlfriend, was dropped by Marvel.
The reply to who will fill that function was seemingly answered by Downey Jr’s return as a villain.
Joe and Anthony Russo — the brothers who beforehand oversaw 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” which briefly turned the highest-grossing movie of all time at greater than $2.79 billion — may even return.
They will direct “Avengers: Doomsday,” in May 2026, and “Avengers: Secret Wars” in May 2027.
The Marvel occasion opened with dozens of singers and dancers dressed within the pink and yellow of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the brand new R-rated superhero film that’s having fun with a document breaking opening this weekend.
“But Hall H doesn’t just look back… Hall H looks forward,” stated Feige, referring to the Comic-Con occasion’s well-known venue, earlier than setting out Marvel’s plans for the subsequent three years.
Next yr will see three movies together with February’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” with Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, a U.S. president who turns right into a Red Hulk.
“I wanted a piece of the action,” stated Ford, on becoming a member of the Marvel franchise.
Also due in 2025 are “Thunderbolts” in May starring Florence Pugh, and July’s “The Fantastic 4: First Steps,” starring Pedro Pascal and set in Nineteen Sixties New York.
Earlier on Saturday at Comic-Con, Disney’s rival studio Warner, which runs the DC superhero films, provided a glimpse at “The Penguin,” starring Colin Farrell.
Spun off from the 2022 movie “The Batman,” which starred Robert Pattinson as a grungy, noirish incarnation of the beloved superhero, “The Penguin” will hit HBO on September 19.
© 2024 AFP