Robert Downey Jr. to reprise Tony Stark role in new “Avengers ”rides at Disneyland — with King Thanos plot

The 'Iron Man' actor will appear in two new attractions heading to Disney California Adventure, including one that incorporates defeating King Thanos' army.

Weeks after it was revealed that Robert Downey Jr. would rejoin the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Doctor Doom, the Avengers franchise star is crossing back over to the good side, as he's set to reprise his role as Iron Man's Tony Stark in a pair of new rides heading to California's Disneyland Resort — with "King Thanos" hot on his heels.

The Oscar-winning actor's participation in the theme park additions was announced Saturday at Disney's D23 convention, where the 59-year-old was revealed as part of the cast set to appear in two new attractions planned for Disneyland's California Adventure theme park, which already boasts existing rides themed to Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man within its Avengers Campus themed area.

<p>Courtesy of Disney Experiences</p> Robert Downey Jr. to reprise Tony Stark role in Stark Flight Lab at Disney California Adventure park

Courtesy of Disney Experiences

Robert Downey Jr. to reprise Tony Stark role in Stark Flight Lab at Disney California Adventure park

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Downey Jr. will return as Stark at the center of Stark Flight Lab, a thrill ride following the Iron Man character as he sends riders on a wild experiment in two-person robotic pods that whirl around to simulate flight. He'll also appear in the park's world-hopping Avengers Infinity Defense ride, which will take guests to various worlds seen throughout the MCU.

"We're going to find out that some of this global technology has gone missing and now King Thanos is using it to wreak havoc across multiple worlds," Disney Portfolio Executive Creative Director Scott Trowbridge explained of the latter ride's plot. "It's gonna be all hands on deck as we assemble the Avengers to take on his army," he said, teasing "favorite heroes, both big and small."

<p>Disney Experiences</p> King Thanos in concept art unveiled at D23

Disney Experiences

King Thanos in concept art unveiled at D23

The ride will travel to iconic MCU locations, such as Asgard and Wakanda, as well as New York City, "where we might just come face-to-face with King Thanos himself," the exec told the D23 crowd, who erupted into cheers at the mention of the villain, a Multiverse variant of Thanos (played by Josh Brolin onscreen).

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<p>Courtesy of Disney Experiences</p> Ant-Man looks in on riders at Disney California Adventure's new Avengers Infinity Defense ride

Courtesy of Disney Experiences

Ant-Man looks in on riders at Disney California Adventure's new Avengers Infinity Defense ride

Disney also unveiled that the California Adventure park will get a new Coco boat ride as well as an Avatar-inspired land adapted from the plots of the franchise's James Cameron-directed sequels The Way of Water and Fire and Ash.

Earlier in the presentation, D'Amaro stressed to D23 attendees that each attraction was in "active development" and that "plans are drawn" for construction to start on these massive additions to the company's global parks properties — which also included reveals that Disney World would receive both a Villains Land based on Disney's iconic villains and an Indiana Jones-themed ride with a "completely new story" at its Animal Kingdom park.

<p>Courtesy of Disney Experiences</p> New 'Avatar' land coming to Disneyland's Disney California Adventure park

Courtesy of Disney Experiences

New 'Avatar' land coming to Disneyland's Disney California Adventure park

Related: James Cameron teases Avatar: Fire and Ash: 'Not what you expect, but it’s definitely what you want'

Saturday's D23 presentation followed Marvel's announcement in July at Comic-Con 2024 that Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, following his 11-year tenure as Stark/Iron Man in both the Iron Man and Avengers series.

"New mask, same task," Downey said on stage at Comic-Con, while dressed in green Doctor Doom robes. "What can I say, I like playing complicated characters."

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