Robert Downey Jr. is set to reprise his iconic role as Iron Man in Avengers Infinity Defense, a new attraction coming to Disneyland's Avengers Campus. The attraction, announced at D23 during the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase, will feature a large cast of Marvel Cinematic Universe actors.
Joining Downey Jr. are Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Shuri's Black Panther and Ant-Man are also slated to appear. The attraction promises a "star-studded new battle against Thanos," according to Disney.
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige and Walt Disney Imagineer Brent Strong revealed updates on two new global Disney Parks experiences. "Our team enjoys being part of the Disney family because that means we can tell stories in so many ways that go well beyond the big screen," Feige stated. "Plus, we've been able to create some storytelling that you can only hear about and experience with the Disney parks."
Avengers Infinity Defense is scheduled to open in 2028 at Disneyland's Avengers Campus in California. Guests will be tasked to "reassemble the Avengers to battle King Thanos." Concept art depicts a mission briefing from Ms. Marvel to a gathered crowd, with other heroes appearing via video link, including the Hulk.
The canonical status of Avengers Infinity Defense within the MCU remains unclear. The presence of Tony Stark alive, alongside Sam Wilson as Captain America and Shuri as Black Panther, suggests a narrative that may exist outside the main MCU timeline, potentially within the Multiverse Saga. Downey Jr. will also reprise his role as Iron Man for Stark Flight Lab, another attraction set to open in 2028, where guests can experience flying. Brie Larson will return as Captain Marvel for Stark Flight Lab. It is worth noting that Downey Jr. is also confirmed to play Doctor Doom in upcoming MCU films Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, making his return as Iron Man in a park attraction notable, especially alongside characters like Hawkeye and Captain Marvel whose current MCU statuses are not definitively known.