The success of Deadpool and Wolverine has lighted up hopes of a return to MCU’s glory days. With Marvel now gearing up for its golden period 2.0, fans are still in disbelief about the comeback of one of its golden stars, Robert Downey Jr.
Fans had been begging for Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU. However, despite him returning in a different avatar, it wasn’t just fan demand that brought him back; Disney’s big fat bank account did the rest of the work.
Robert Downey Jr. to receive a massive paycheck for his return to MCU
Last month when the San Diego Comic Con rolled in, fans were expecting something big from Marvel. However, no one in their wildest dreams would have guessed Robert Downey Jr.‘s return, that too as Doctor Doom.
All of this was possible due to three factors: Downey Jr’s Oscar win not too long ago, fans’ love for his portrayal of Iron Man, and a big fat cheque from Disney.
According to a report by Variety, Marvel is investing $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and a “significantly higher” amount for Robert Downey Jr. to portray the infamous villain Doctor Doom in both films.
Downey Jr. has already earned somewhere between $500 million and $600 million through his ventures in the MCU as Iron Man. And if that is any indication, he might once again win the title of the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.
The Russo Brothers will be making big cash with their comeback
Anthony and Joe Russo are perhaps the most celebrated director duo among the MCU auteurs, primarily due to their brilliance with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Which is why their return to the franchise has been so hyped.
The massive hype also means Disney will be raining gold on the Russo Brothers as well. As previously mentioned, the duo will be paid $80 million to bring Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars to life.
The Russo Brothers’ agreement does not feature back-end compensation; however, it includes performance escalators that activate upon reaching the $750 million and $1 billion revenue milestones. Moreover, they will get to produce the two films under their AGBO banner, which is an exception considering Marvel doesn’t like working with other houses.
Though these numbers are still being disputed, it can be safe to say that Disney is throwing huge loads of cash to push MCU ventures upwards. Whether it will work out in their favor or not remains to be seen.
Avengers: Doomsday will arrive in May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in May 2027.
