Robert Downey Jr. Suits Up as Doctor Doom, Shows Love to Jeremy Renner’s Comeback Journey

On the set of Avengers: Doomsday, Downey Jr. shares a heartfelt tribute to co-star Jeremy Renner, whose memoir chronicles his recovery from a life-threatening accident amid ongoing discussions about his future in the MCU.

Robert Downey Jr. is stepping back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this time portraying the iconic villain Doctor Doom in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, set to release on May 1, 2026. While on set, Downey Jr. shared a photo on Instagram, showing himself reading Jeremy Renner’s memoir, My Next Breath, and flexing his bicep. He captioned the post, “Reading Renner’s book and feeling stronger already… What a journey to wisdom… very instructive… a must read!”

Renner responded to the post, reflecting on his recovery journey: “Long way from the ICU… At least we know how this story ends my brother. Love you.”

My Next Breath, released on April 29, 2025, details Renner’s harrowing experience and recovery after a near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023. The memoir has become a New York Times bestseller, offering readers an intimate look into his resilience and healing process.

Despite his recovery, Renner’s future in the MCU remains uncertain. He recently revealed that he declined an offer to reprise his role as Hawkeye in a second season of the Disney+ series due to a proposed salary that was half of what he earned in the first season. Renner speculated that the reduced offer might have been influenced by assumptions about his physical capabilities post-injury.

While Renner has not been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, his portrayal of Hawkeye has left a lasting impact on the MCU. Downey Jr.’s public support underscores the strong bonds formed among the Avengers cast, both on and off the screen.

As Avengers: Doomsday continues production, fans eagerly anticipate Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doctor Doom and the potential for Renner’s return to the franchise.