Robert Downey Jr announces shock Marvel return at Comic-Con

San Diego: Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. announced his return to the Marvel superhero films during a blockbuster Disney presentation at Comic Con Sat...

San Diego: Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr. announced his return to the Marvel superhero films during a blockbuster Disney presentation at Comic-Con Saturday, as the company attempts to reinvigorate its all-time record-grossing movie franchise.

Harrison Ford and Pedro Pascal were also officially unveiled among a batch of new stars joining the movie franchise, which has grossed an unprecedented $30 billion at the box office, but in recent years has suffered a number of high-profile flops.

Marvel film president Kevin Feige unveiled new details about multiple upcoming superhero movies in front of a crowd of screaming devotees at the San Diego, California gathering on Saturday -- but nobody drew a louder reaction than the returning Downey Jr.

The actor, who launched the entire Marvel movie universe with 2008's "Iron Man," will return as a totally different character -- Doctor Doom, a prominent villain in the Marvel comic books -- it was revealed.

He appeared anonymously on stage among a group of hooded and masked figures, before stepping forward and revealing his much-rumored return.