- Pop Base
- Posts
- Pop Base: Robert Downey Jr. as Dr.Doom
Pop Base: Robert Downey Jr. as Dr.Doom
Welcome to Pop Base! As your best source for all things pop culture, check out our curated newsletters to stay up-to-date on your favorite celebs, entertainment news, award show coverage, chart updates, and much more.
Robert Downey Jr. unmasks as Dr. Doom
Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. surprised fans at the San Diego Comic-Con as he announced his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming sequel to the Avengers franchise, playing the role of the iconic supervillain Doctor Doom.
“New mask, same task,” the actor declared. “What did I tell you, I like playing complicated characters,” he quipped.
It is not just the 59-year-old actor making a comeback. MCU President Kevin Feige also confirmed that the Russo Brothers–the directors of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame–will be back at the helm for the production of Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday.
“If we’re going to bring Victor Von Doom to the screen—he is one of the more complex characters in all of comics… If we’re going to do this … then we are going to need the greatest actor in the world,” Joe Russo noted.
Downey had long proven his acting prowess. After all, it was his portrayal of “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” Tony Stark in the 2008 movie that ushered in the beginning of MCU’s box office reign.
His career high did not end with his 12-year stint as Iron Man. Earlier this year, the actor won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. He also recently bagged an Emmy nomination for the same category for his work in HBO’s The Sympathizer.
‘Last Supper’ tableau at Olympics draws flak, organizers apologize
Christian conservatives criticized one of the performances in the opening ceremony to the 2024 Paris Olympics for its alleged parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” featuring queer artists and drag queens.
In response, Olympics spokesperson Anne Descamps issued an apology during an International Olympic Committee news conference.
“Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group… If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really, really sorry,” Descamps said.
The said performance showcased LGBTQ+ DJ and producer Barbara Butch wearing a halo-like headdress. Later on, French actor and singer Philippe Katerine, covered with almost nothing but blue paint, came in served on a dinner plate (literally). Drag artists paraded and danced alongside both performers around a long table.
In a press release, the French Bishops’ Conference dubbed the performance as a “mockery and derision of Christianity.”
“Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on X.
“The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and virtue will always prevail.” he added.
French far-right politician Marion Maréchal also denounced the performance in a post. “To all the Christians of the world who are watching the #Paris2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation,” she argued.
However, its choreographer and artistic director, Thomas Jolly, denied that he took inspiration from the biblical scene. He clarified that he was trying to portray a Pagan celebration, with Dionysus—the Olympian god of wine, pleasure, and festivity—as the star of the show.
Jolly explained that the goal of the performance was to highlight the beauty of diversity and the acceptance that the queer community experiences in France.
“In France, we have the right to love each other, as we want and with who we want. In France, we have the right to believe or to not believe. In France, we have a lot of rights. Voila,” he asserted. “My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”
The More You Know
Director Matt Shakman announced at the San Diego Comic-Con that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will begin filming tomorrow. The movie’s all-star cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards or Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm or the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm or the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm or The Thing. It is set to be released on July 25, 2025.
EXO Baekhyun revealed his plans for a solo comeback in September during his Asia tour encore.
SHINEE Taemin unveiled the teaser for his upcoming 5th mini album titled ETERNAL. It will be released on August 19 at 6 PM (KST).
Celine Dion wowed fans with her powerful vocals as she performed Edith Piaf’s “Hymn to Love” underneath the Eiffel Tower for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. This signaled the singer’s epic return to music after a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome–a rare neurological condition that causes muscle stiffness in the abdomen–threatened her singing career.
RIIZE released the music video for their first Japanese single “Lucky.” The group also pre-released two other singles, ”Be My Next” and “Same Key,” on various global music platforms.
HYBE Labels will release a five-part documentary about LE SSERAFIM titled Make It Look Easy, which features a glimpse into Kazuha, Sakura, Yunjin, and Chaewon’s life behind the glitz and glamor of being K-Pop idols. It will be made available on the company’s YouTube channel today, July 29, at 8 PM KST.
Britney Spears threw fans–and Halsey–into a rollercoaster of emotions as she threatened to sue the latter for sampling her song “Lucky.” In a now-deleted post in X, Britney wrote that she felt “harassed, violated, and bullied” by Halsey’s portrayal of her as a “superficial pop star with no heart or concern at all.” A few minutes later, Britney deleted said post and clarified in another that it was fake news. “That was not me on my phone !!! I love Halsey and that’s why I deleted it !!!” the singer wrote.