Mr. Stark, is that you?
Robert Downey Jr. made a surprise appearance at the South by Southwest Conference and Festival on Saturday, joining Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman for a featured session on “The Future of World-Building at Disney.”
Here’s what Downey said during the session:
Robert Downey Jr. talks about what Tony Stark, Iron Man means to him
Downey spoke about his legacy as the iconic Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“It’s the gift that keeps on giving. It’s 17 years of being associated with an iconic superhero, but, you know, it’s the message he represents,” Downey said in a clip shared on X by The Hollywood Reporter.
“That’s what I’m grateful for, because Tony opened my eyes wide to the power technology has to impact the world for good, and that’s something that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my days. So thank y’all for making that happen,” he continued.
Disney California Adventure adding Stark Flight Lab to Avengers Campus
Downey is returning as Tony Stark for the upcoming Disney California Adventure expansion: Stark Flight Lab.
In the new attraction, guests will be able to test out Stark’s technology by sitting in “gyro-kinetic pods” and being propped up by a robotic arm, according to Disney enthusiast Drew Smith.
Construction on the project begins this year.
Robert Downey Jr. returns to MCU as Doctor Doom
Marvel fans tearfully saw Iron Man die in “Avengers: Endgame,” but that wasn’t the end for Downey. He explained that after leaving the franchise, he stayed in touch with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who had the idea of bringing Downey back on screen, according to an interview in The Hollywood Reporter’s “Award Chatter” podcast.
But how?
According to Downey, Feige brought up the idea that he could return as Victor Von Doom in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” the iconic Fantastic Four villain who is traditionally an adversary of Reed Richards. “I looked into this character, and I was like, ‘Wow,'” Downey said. “Later on, he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right. Let’s get that right.'”
— USA TODAY reporter Brendan Morrow contributed to this report.