Robert Downey Jr sent fans into a spin as he posed for pictures with fellow superhero Jessica Alba, unveiling his new transformation.
The Iron Man legend is gearing up for a bombshell return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom, five years after Tony Stark’s devastating death.
Ahead of his upcoming Avengers blockbusters, the 59-year-old can be found on stage in New York, leading star-studded performances of McNeal.
Jessica made time to take in a recent show during a whirlwind trip to the big apple, and she couldn’t help but share snaps from their backstage meeting, leaving many baffled by the Oscar-winner’s new look.
‘12 hours in the big [apple],’ the 43-year-old penned. ‘We had the best eats @thecornerstore and got to see a play!
‘@robertdowneyjr – I could watch you read the dictionary – you are so brilliant + talented. Until next time #NYC.’
While many were delighted that Tony Stark and Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman, had shared such a wholesome moment, some followers couldn’t get enough of Robert’s appearance, claiming they ‘didn’t recognize’ him at first.
Honesttongue penned: ‘This man grows backwards wth [sic].’
Fernando.Maggiore replied: ‘Robert looks SO GOOD.’
‘Oh Robert looks so different,’ Linhmc said.
Vodlovok suggested: ‘He’s slowly turning into Hugh Jackman.’
As Chip_ross agreed: ‘He looks like Hugh Jackman! Maybe makeup for the play.’
They may be onto something as Robert is currently appearing on stage as writer Jacob McNeal, with the play focusing on his relationship with his estranged son, as he also juggles ‘a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with AI’.
He has been joined in the cast by Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Saisha Talwar and Peter Bradbury, and performances will be running until November 24.
Following this, the Hollywood favorite will be returning to the Marvel fold for the upcoming superhero films, directed by the Russo brothers – titled Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The actor made his debut at Tony Stark in the first Iron Man movie, in 2008, before his character cruelly died in Avengers: Endgame, in 2019.
Appearing at San Diego Comic-Con, Joe Russo previously teased the huge name that was lined up to tackle Doctor Doom: ‘As proof of the unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel multi-universe, we give you the one person who could play Victor von Doom.’
Ever the showman, Robert then unmasked himself to gasps from the huge crowd, quipping: ‘New mask, same task.
‘What did I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.’