Robert Downey Jr. Will Play Iron Man Again After All — at Disneyland

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, the Stark Flight Lab ride.Photo:Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock; Disney Enterprises

Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock; Disney Enterprises

Robert Downey Jr.is making a return asIron Man, after all!

Josh D’Amaro, the Chairperson ofWalt Disney Parks and Resorts, shared some exciting news involving the Marvel favorite.

Among many other announcements at theD23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Eventon Saturday, Aug. 10, it was confirmedmultiple new rides and attractionswould be coming to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as a part of itsDisneylandForwardexpansion project. And two of those will feature Downey Jr. stepping back into the shoes of Tony Stark again.

Iron Man: Avengers Infinity Defense will see guests travel across the multiverse to New York City, Asgard and Wakanda to battle with King Thanos. And then there’s Stark Flight Lab, where guests will sit in two-person pods to be deployed to a test station.

The changes on the Avengers Campus will see the area double in size, PEOPLE previously reported.

Stark Flight Lab is among the new attractions coming to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.Disney Enterprises

Disney Enterprises

D’Amaro announced that construction will start soon on both rides.

“We’re going to find out that some of this global technology has gone missing and now King Thanos is using it to wreak havoc across multiple worlds,” Disney Portfolio Executive Creative Director Scott Trowbridge shared of the Avengers Infinity Defense plot, perEntertainment Weekly.

“It’s gonna be all hands on deck as we assemble the Avengers to take on his army,” he continued, suggesting the ride will feature “favorite heroes, both big and small.”

Avengers Infinity Defense is coming to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.Disney/Marvel

Disney/Marvel

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In the next 10 years, Disney’s investment will go to updating rides, attractions, lands, lodging, entertainment and shopping — without increasing the square footage of the park.

The Walt Disney Companyacquired Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for around $4 billion in 2009.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man 2’.Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Downey Jr. played Iron Man from the 2008 self-titled movie until the character’s death in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, appearing in more Marvel Cinematic Universe films than any other star.

But during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on July 27. it was revealed he’d beheading back to the MCUasvillain Victor von Doom / Doctor Doomin the next twoAvengersmovies, titledAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars.

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Directors Anthony and Joe Russo will also return to the franchise to directDoomsday,Marvel Studios president Kevin Feigeconfirmed.

“New mask, same task," Downey said as he emerged onto the panel’s stage among a group of actors wearing masks and robes.

“What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters,” he added.

source: people.com