“I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this happened”: Robert Downey Jr. Returning as Doctor Doom Sparks What Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Mark Ruffalo Can Play as the X-Men

Well, since Robert Downey Jr. is playing Doctor Doom, it’s only fair that the OG Avengers get recast too, right?

The 2024 San Diego Comic-Con marked a groundbreaking day for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its Doctor Doom announcement. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty has been rebranded as Avengers: Doomsday with Robert Downey Jr. returning to his roots to play the supervillain.

Avengers: Doomsday (2026) | Marvel Studios

While this news has received mixed reactions from the fans, Robert Downey Jr.’s return sure does open the door to multiple possibilities. What possibilities, you ask? Well, the possibilities of the reunion of the OG Avengers – Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth. The possibilities are endless!

Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return Gives Fans an Idea

The Original Six Avengers from The Avengers (2012) | Marvel Entertainment

The Russo Brothers will be directing the next two Avengers films and they recently announced that the next big bad villain to look out for will be played by none other than Robert Downey Jr. The actor will be seen playing the character in Avengers: Doomsday before making his way to Avengers: Secret Wars.

A couple of years ago on the Joe Rogan Experience, Downey Jr. stated that Marvel would need to deliver a “super compelling argument” in order to bring him back to the superhero universe. He also stated that he wanted to try different things and it looks like his wish just got accepted in the best way possible.

While many are extremely excited to have RDJ back, others are quite disappointed with the reveal as they believe the actor had a worthy farewell back in 2019. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for trolls to find their way to the Internet.

After Doctor Doom’s unmasking, a fan took to X to “introduce” the new X-Men of the MCU – Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth.

According to the hilarious post, Evans is the MCU’s Cyclops, Johansson is Jean Grey, Ruffalo is Wolverine, and Hemsworth is Beast. Of course, this is nothing but a light-hearted jab at Marvel Studios bringing back Downey Jr. after a well-deserved retirement from the superhero universe. Although, what if this ends up giving the writers an idea?

Fans React to the “New Look” of X-Men

Robert Downey Jr. in The Avengers | Marvel Studios

After the post went online, fans had hilarious reactions to the idea. From begging OP to not give Marvel any such ideas to giving their own recommendations for the X-Men roles, fans didn’t disappoint.

While one nominated Josh Brolin to play Apocalypse, another joked that Chris Pratt should be the one playing Rogue in an MCU X-Men film. Honestly? We can totally get behind that casting!

Take a look at some of the reactions below:

While this fan-casting is for nothing but a good laugh, RDJ’s comeback sure ignites a hope in fans’ hearts for an Avengers reunion. Fingers crossed!

Avengers: Doomsday will be released on May 01, 2026.