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Robert Downey Jr. Returns as Iron Man for Two New Avengers Campus Attractions at Disney California Adventure

The actor recorded new material specifically for Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, joining Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Brie Larson and Jeremy Renner in the expanded land opening in 2028.

By Jeanpierre Florent · FirstDrop News TeamAug 17, 20264 min read

Disney confirmed at D23 on Saturday that Robert Downey Jr. will reprise Tony Stark for two new attractions coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. The actor recorded new material specifically for the theme park experiences, marking his latest return as Iron Man following the character's death in Avengers: Endgame.

Downey will appear in both Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab when the expanded land opens in 2028. The projects will double the size of Avengers Campus and feature several MCU actors reprising their roles, including Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.

The announcement comes as Downey prepares to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, meaning Disney is giving fans both versions of the actor's Marvel future. He'll preserve his heroic legacy as Tony Stark at Disney California Adventure while embracing a villainous turn on the big screen.

Imagineers Recorded New Material in London

Disney revealed the details during its Experiences showcase at D23 in Anaheim. Imagineers shared behind-the-scenes footage of Downey, Hemsworth, Mackie, Larson and Renner recording material for the attractions while working on the set of Avengers: Doomsday in London.

This is not recycled movie footage or archival material from previous films. The actors created new content specifically for the Disneyland Resort experiences, bringing their characters back in a format designed exclusively for theme park guests.

Avengers Infinity Defense Takes on King Thanos

Avengers Infinity Defense will place guests in the middle of a multiverse-spanning fight against an alternate version of Thanos. The attraction begins when Ms. Marvel, played by Iman Vellani, welcomes riders as new recruits and delivers their assignment.

According to Imagineers, it's up to guests to assemble the Avengers and stop Thanos. The villain is King Thanos, a version of the character from a reality where he successfully defeated the Avengers. Riders will be tasked with reassembling the heroes and preventing him from using stolen Stark technology to spread destruction across multiple worlds.

The adventure will transport guests through recognizable Marvel locations, including Asgard, Wakanda and New York City. Disney says the attraction will combine large physical sets with massive media scenes to create the feeling of moving between different worlds.

Stark Flight Lab Simulates Flying Like an Avenger

Downey will also play a central role in Stark Flight Lab, an attraction inspired by Tony Stark's technology and experimentation. Mackie and Larson will join him as Captain America and Captain Marvel, serving as flight instructors as guests feel what it's like to train like an Avenger.

Guests will sit inside two-person gyro-kinetic pods that travel along a track before arriving at a testing station. A giant robotic arm will then lift each pod and perform high-speed movements designed to simulate flying like an Avenger.

Disney says the ride's movements will be inspired by Iron Man and other Marvel heroes. Imagineers previously worked with dancers to help choreograph how the robotic arms move, allowing the machines to produce different flight patterns and experiences.

Expansion Doubles Campus Size

Both new attractions are scheduled to open in 2028. They will join the two existing Marvel rides at Disney California Adventure: Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.

Avengers Campus also includes character encounters and Pym Test Kitchen, a restaurant inspired by Ant-Man and The Wasp that plays with dramatically enlarged and reduced food items.

Downey's MCU Journey Comes Full Circle

Downey first portrayed Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man, the movie that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He continued playing the character across numerous solo films and team-up events before Stark sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos in Avengers: Endgame.

His return to Marvel was announced with a completely different character, stunning fans who expected any potential comeback to involve an alternate version of Iron Man. Now Disney is giving audiences both, allowing Downey to preserve his heroic legacy at the theme parks while taking on a villainous role in the films.

Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will give fans their next chance to assemble with Downey's Iron Man in 2028, even as his Doctor Doom prepares to tear the cinematic universe apart on the big screen.

Written by Jeanpierre Florent, part of the FirstDrop News Team

Jeanpierre is the Southern California based creator behind JPLAND21, a theme park community of more than one million subscribers across YouTube and Instagram. Our reporting is grounded in regular firsthand park visits. More about us

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