Iron Man Returns to Disney Parks
Robert Downey Jr. Reprises Iron Man Role for Two New 2028 Avengers Campus Attractions
Key Points
Brie Larson's Captain Marvel will join Stark Flight Lab as a flight instructor alongside Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and Anthony Mackie as Captain America.
Stark Flight Lab uses a ride system that places guests on a moving arm capable of dipping, diving, and shifting side to side on a fixed track to simulate flight.
The Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23 is where the Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab announcements were unveiled to the public.
The Infinity Defense ride is described as blending massive physical sets with large-scale media sequences, with Imagineering executives promising to use every trick in the book and invent new ones for the attraction.
Robert Downey Jr. is coming back as Iron Man — this time for a theme park ride. Disney announced at D23 that Downey will star in two new attractions at Disney California Adventure: Avengers: Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, both opening in 2028. Comic Book Movie reported the news alongside footage of Downey and his co-stars suiting up again for the first time in years.
The announcements were made at the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23. The two rides will be part of a major expansion that will double the size of Avengers Campus, according to Max Blizz.
Avengers Infinity Defense Pits Heroes Against Thanos
Avengers: Infinity Defense is the bigger of the two rides. The story centers on reassembling the Avengers to stop Thanos. Guests travel through massive physical sets and large-scale media sequences spanning Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City, according to Comic Basics.
Imagineering executives promised to use every trick in the book — and invent new ones. The ride features Marvel heroes who guide guests through each scene. Joining Downey are Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. Ms. Marvel handles pre-mission briefings before the action begins, Gamereactor reported.
Stark Flight Lab Teaches Guests to Fly
The second ride, Stark Flight Lab, takes a different approach. Guests strap into a moving arm that dips, dives, and shifts side to side on a fixed track to simulate flight. Think of it as a flight simulator with a Marvel twist. Downey's Iron Man and Brie Larson's Captain Marvel both appear as flight instructors, with Anthony Mackie's Captain America rounding out the crew, according to Cosmic Book News.
Behind-the-scenes footage shown at D23 revealed the full cast reuniting in their original suits. It was the first time many of them had worn the costumes since their Marvel films wrapped. Comic Book Movie noted that Thor is also seen wearing a helmet in the new footage — a rare look for the character.
Downey's Marvel Return Goes Beyond the Theme Park
These rides are not Downey's only Marvel comeback. He is also set to appear in the MCU as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, expected later this year. That makes 2025 and 2028 two very busy years for the actor's return to the Marvel universe. Gamereactor noted the significance of so many original Avengers actors reprising their roles at once.
The double announcement signals a bigger strategy from Disney. Bringing back fan-favorite actors for theme park rides adds star power and story depth that goes well beyond a simple attraction upgrade. Both rides land in 2028, giving Disney years to build anticipation, according to Comic Basics.
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