As Kevin Feige confirms Robert Downey Jr. won’t be returning to the MCU, Marvel reveals the new set of Avengers in MCU’s latest project.

Many Avengers fans would agree that the MCU just feels lacking without Robert Downey Jr. Although the actor does not believe that he has any resemblance to his superhero character, fans certainly cannot see the two apart, as if they were two faces of the same coin. While they have been desperately waiting for his return in any form, shape, or size, Kevin Feige recently confirmed that is an event that can only take place in some distant parallel world of ours.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe
As fans continue to try and manifest his return despite the disappointing update, MCU has finally confirmed a new set of Avengers for the next MCU project, What If…? season 2.

Marvel’s New Set Of Avengers For The Next Project

A still from What If…? Season 2
After the success of What If…? season 1, which featured the reimagining of certain pivotal moments of MCU as well as alternate reality variants of Marvel characters, season 2 of the Disney+ series is set to release on December 22. The official poster and trailer of the series teased a new roaster of superheroes, apparently inspired by the original Avengers from 2012 (via The Direct).

The new set of Avengers would be: Peggy Carter’s Captain Carter, although if she would be the same one from Season 1 or not is unknown; Wasp in a red suit, which is surprising and perhaps indicates this version might be Janet Van Dyne; Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff, whose variant is also not confirmed; and Tony Stark aka Iron man, who does not appear to be the same one from season 1 Captain Carter’s world.

Other characters include Thor, whose origin remains unknown for in season 1 he was an only child. Lastly, the team is completed by Clint Barton’s Hawkeye who looks similar to his Avengers counterpart, although if he really is the same is unknown.

Thus, season 2 of What If…? appears to be comprised of old and new Avengers with a twist of its own, making things even more surprising and intriguing.

Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man Won’t Be Coming Back To The MCU

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in the MCU
It is a universally acknowledged fact that when blockbuster franchises fail, it is wise to bring the one thing back that made them popular in the first place. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it was Robert Downey Jr. and his Avenger Iron Man who turned out to be their four-leaf clover. So to bring him back might be a wise thing for Marvel after its recent disappointing feats on the box office.

However, neither Downey nor Marvel head Kevin Feige are keen on even considering the possibility of having him back in the MCU. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Feige remarked,
“We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again. We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
While his argument is as true as it can be, Downey’s Iron Man and the rest of the original Avengers would certainly be missed.

What If…? Season 2 premieres on Disney+ on December 22, 2023.