Tom Hiddleston, known for his portrayal of Loki, recently shared that he, like many fans, learned about Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the same time as the public. The major reveal came during last year’s Comic Con, surprising even Hiddleston, who has starred in multiple Marvel films.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s tight security on plot and casting secrets kept even its leading talents in the dark about Robert Downey Jr.’s return. The actor, who gave life to Iron Man and anchored much of the MCU’s decade-long storyline, is now set to take on the role of Doctor Doom, the notorious Marvel villain. Hiddleston revealed his reaction during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz.
“I didn’t know that until the rest of the world knew that,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor.
Behind the Scenes and the Impact of the Casting Decision
Hiddleston explained how Marvel’s secrecy meant he learned the casting news alongside everyone else, causing genuine surprise. Upon hearing, he grabbed his phone to reach out to Marvel Studios president,
“That was something that was completely under wraps until it wasn’t,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor. Hiddleston immediately texted Kevin Feige, reacting only with exclamation marks, before clarifying his shock in a follow-up message,
“I’d better qualify that. I said, ‘RDJ?!’”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor.
The casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom was reportedly a decision made by Kevin Feige some time ago, but the announcement remained hidden until the strategic reveal at Comic Con. Directors of Avengers: Doomsday expressed strong confidence in the actor for the villain’s role, stating there is “nobody else in the world” who could portray Doctor Doom as Downey Jr. intends to.
What This Means for Avengers and the Expanded MCU
With both Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Hiddleston returning for the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, expectations are building among fans and industry insiders. Downey Jr.’s history as Iron Man makes him almost inseparable from the MCU. As Hiddleston noted,
“Robert is synonymous with the MCU, he’s the centre of it. And I think it must be very thrilling to come back and play with some different colors,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor.
Meanwhile, Hiddleston’s reprisal of Loki brings added excitement, particularly following the seemingly definitive end of Loki’s arc in season two of his series. Hiddleston admitted he did not anticipate Loki’s return and explained,
“I was sincere in my conviction that I thought it was the end. I wasn’t lying to you, I promise. I didn’t know then, I didn’t know what the plan was,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor.
Loki’s Return and Future MCU Developments
Although Hiddleston cannot divulge much about his character’s role in Avengers: Doomsday, he expressed enthusiasm about continuing the journey.
“I do know some things. It’s an extraordinary privilege to still be on the team. There are more stories to tell,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor. He reflected on his character’s growth alongside his own career, sharing,
“The character has grown as I’ve grown, and it’s genuinely an honor to still be in the squad,”
—Tom Hiddleston, Actor.
The announcement points to an exciting new era for the MCU, with both beloved heroes and formidable villains set for major roles. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, as part of Marvel Phase 6. As Marvel continues to keep details closely guarded, fans can look forward to seeing how Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and Hiddleston’s Loki shape the universe’s next chapter.
