A new rumor has suggested that a dead Marvel Cinematic Universe character will be making a dramatic return in an upcoming Avengers movie.
According to The Cosmic Circus, the incursion that was first hinted at in the end credits scene of 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be between universes 616 and 838 and take place in an upcoming Avengers film. Furthermore, an alive and previously unseen member of the 838 Illuminati will have a bone to pick with the 616 Avengers, with the character rumored to be an Iron Man variant. Cosmic Circle also stated that they personally think Robert Downey Jr. will return to play the variant, although that remains speculation on their part.
Downey first portrayed Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2008's Iron Man, appearing an additional nine times throughout the first three phases of the MCU. His last reprisal was in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which depicted the character's death. Following Downey's departure from the role, Mick Wingert voiced variants of the character in What If...? Season 1 and its upcoming Season 2. At this time, no actor besides Jonathan Majors (as Kang the Conqueror) has been confirmed for the upcoming Avengers films.
Secret Wars May Be Split Into Two Movies
The Earth-838 Iron Man rumor comes shortly after reports that suggest Marvel Studios is in "very very early talks" about dividing Avengers: Secret Wars into two films. If true, this would stretch the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga -- consisting of Phases 4 through 6 of the MCU -- into an entire trilogy when counting Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. At this time, Marvel Studios has not revealed plans for splitting Secret Wars, which has been rumored to be set on the patchwork planet Battleworld and involve several pre-Marvel Studios actors like Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.
The Cosmic Circle has also claimed that Deadpool 3 will lead directly into Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, with Marvel Studios reportedly positioning Ryan Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth as a key figure in the MCU's Phase 6. At this time, little is known about the plot of The Kang Dynasty, which was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022. However, fans do know that Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) will direct the picture, working from a screenplay by writer Jeff Loveness (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania).
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 1, 2026.
Source: The Cosmic Circus