Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU with other confirmed actors including stars Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, 'X-Men' stars like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, and a good chunk from the studio's 'Thunderbolts.

Perhaps attempting to prove that reports of imminent box office demise have been greatly exaggerated, Marvel on Wednesday announced major casting news for its upcoming “Avengers” sequel that both flex the power of its history and set it up for the future.

After an hours-long tease, Marvel has confirmed much of the cast for the next Avengers movie — and it pulls together a huge list of stars from films ranging from past Avengers and X-Men flicks to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps.