Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom costume revealed: Marvel's big night begins

Marvel Studios made the first big surprise of the night before even stepping onto the Hall H stage.

Among the Avengers: Doomsday costumes displayed at the Marvel booth at San Diego Comic-Con, Doctor Doom's armor was also added. Photos of the design, said to be the costume Robert Downey Jr. will wear in the film, quickly circulated on social media through shares from the exhibition area.

Previously, Captain America costumes for Thor, Cyclops, Invisible Woman, Gambit, Yelena Belova, and Sam Wilson had been showcased at Marvel's booth number 2329. With the emergence of the Doctor Doom costume, the booth has essentially turned into a preview for the Hall H presentation that will take place tonight.

Doctor Doom appeared before Marvel took the stage

In the first images shared, Doctor Doom's iconic metal mask, green cape, and armored appearance stand out. It seems that Marvel has not completely strayed from the classic Doom design in the comics, but has adapted the costume to fit the more realistic aesthetic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The unveiling of the costume to Comic-Con attendees also indicates that Marvel plans to place Doctor Doom at the center of the film's marketing campaign. The company had kept Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance in the character a secret for a long time; the first comprehensive images were shared in the Avengers: Doomsday trailer released a few days before San Diego Comic-Con.

However, the close display of the costume allowed for the details that passed quickly in the trailer to be examined more clearly for the first time.

All eyes on the Avengers: Doomsday presentation

Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation will start at 5:30 PM San Diego time on Saturday, July 25, and will last about an hour. For Marvel fans in Turkey, the event will begin at 03:30 AM on July 26.

When announcing the panel's content, Marvel did not directly mention any film titles. The company only stated that surprise guests from various productions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would participate and that viewers would get a “special look at what’s next.” Nevertheless, the booth being themed around Avengers: Doomsday and the showcasing of film costumes leaves little doubt about which production will be the main focus of the night.

New footage is expected to be shown during the panel, along with the cast taking the stage and the first significant information about Doctor Doom's role in the story being revealed. However, it should be noted that these have not yet been officially confirmed by Marvel.

Robert Downey Jr. back at the center of the same stage after two years

It was announced at the Hall H stage during San Diego Comic-Con that Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom.

In Marvel's presentation in 2024, the actor who emerged from the crowd wearing the Doctor Doom costume announced that he would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by removing his mask. Downey Jr., who became the face of the series with his Iron Man character, taking on one of the universe's greatest villains this time has been one of Marvel's most talked-about casting choices in recent years.

Marvel Studios did not hold a Hall H presentation in 2025. Thus, the company returns to Comic-Con's biggest stage two years after Robert Downey Jr. was announced as Doctor Doom.

Marvel's new era will begin with Doctor Doom

Avengers: Doomsday is not just a new Avengers film; it is being prepared as a massive crossover project that will bring together different eras of Marvel into the same story.

The film will feature not only the heroes of the main Marvel universe but also the Fantastic Four team, members of the Thunderbolts, and characters known from previous X-Men films. Names like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, and Alan Cumming will return to their old roles after years; Doctor Doom will be at the center of the threat that brings different universes face to face.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Following the film, the multiverse story will continue with Avengers: Secret Wars, which is planned to be released in 2027.

It is still unknown what cards Marvel will reveal during tonight's Hall H presentation. However, the costume of Doctor Doom being showcased just a few hours before the panel indicates that the company wants to leave only one name to be talked about at the end of the night:

Victor von Doom.