In an interview with Esquire, actor Tom Holland opened up about the “surreal” moment he received a phone call from his former co-star Robert Downey Jr., who revealed his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Doctor Doom.
The revelation, which came during a private conversation, caught Holland completely off guard and offered a rare glimpse into the emotional core of their friendship, which began on the set of Captain America: Civil War.
‘He had to tell me’
Holland explained that Downey Jr. insisted on telling him personally about his return to the MCU, a testament to the bond they formed over the years.
“He told me that he was coming back, and I just had no words. It was such a surreal moment,” Holland said. “It was a beautiful, emotional phone call, actually. It was something that we kept completely personal because I didn’t want anyone else to know.”
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Two icons, one epic
Holland, who plays Spider-Man, will share the screen with Downey Jr., whose Iron Man died heroically in Avengers: Endgame (2019), in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. The film is set to begin filming in the UK this summer.
Downey Jr. had teased his return in February, simply posting “New mask, same task” on Instagram, with a picture of the character’s iconic mask . The role of Doctor Doom was first announced for the MCU at Comic-Con in 2024, with Downey Jr.’s casting being one of the most surprising announcements in the franchise’s history .
A film of reunions
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers, will see the return of many iconic Marvel characters. Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will join a cast that reportedly includes Thor, Loki, the Fantastic Four, and several original X-Men actors, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden . The film is expected to set the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for release in May 2027.
A full circle moment
The film marks a poetic full-circle moment. Robert Downey Jr. was the actor who first welcomed Holland into the MCU, giving him the “rookie talk” about what it meant to be a superhero . Now, years later, their characters are set to be enemies, but their off-screen friendship remains as strong as ever.
“I think ultimately, he and I have a deep desire to work together again,” Holland said. “I want to be there when it happens. And I’m just so excited to see what the Russo Brothers have up their sleeves for this massive movie.”
