Tom Holland Knew that Robert Downey Jr. Was Returning as Doom (And He Kept the Secret!)

Marvel shocked fans around the world at San Diego Comic-Con with the stunning revelation that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Doom.

In the aftermath of the seismic announcement, Marvel stars, including Anthony Mackie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Florence Pugh, and Jeremy Renner, shared their surprise at the news.

Photo: BBC

While it seems that Downey and Marvel managed to keep the Doctor Doom reveal under wraps, even from some of the MCU’s biggest stars, others were in on the secret.

Tom Holland Knew All Along

In a recent interview on the Rich Roll podcast, Spider-Man star Tom Holland revealed that he was among the few who were in on Downey’s return.

Source: Marvel Studios

Holland, who is known for his inability to keep a secret and his propensity for accidentally spoiling surprises, admitted that he took extra precautions this time around.

Source: Marvel Studios

“I’ve been speaking to [Robert Downey Jr.] a lot, especially about him making his [Marvel] return, which is super exciting,” Holland said on the podcast. “That was a tough secret to sit on because I have a reputation for ruining things and I strategically have done no press.”

The Actors Will Meet Again in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Downey and Holland, of course, starred together in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Source: Marvel Studios

With both actors set to star in Avengers: Doomsday, it looks like Downey and Holland will share the screen again. This time around, however, Downey will not be playing Peter Parker’s mentor but one of his greatest adversaries.

Photo: BBC

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on May 1, 2026.