Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers, the American actor and directing duo behind some of Marvel Studios’ biggest successes, including Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War, will not be starving any time soon, according to a new report that explains how the trio are being paid a “mega” amount of money to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the next two Avengers movies, with Downey Jr., in particular, receiving special benefits, including private jet travel, for agreeing to play Dr. Doom and what some fans have speculated to be a new version of Iron Man. Avengers: Infinity War has made over $2 billion worldwide since its release in 2018, while its sequel, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, has made nearly $2.8 billion worldwide.
From a report:
- “Sources say Marvel is plunking down $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars and ‘significantly more’ for Downey to tackle uber-villain Doctor Doom in the two tentpoles.”
- “The Russos’ deal doesn’t include back-end compensation, but it does contain performance escalators that kick in at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds.”
- “For Downey, who helped catapult Marvel into a money-printing machine thanks to his turn as Tony Stark in the first Iron Man film in 2008, his deal also is filled with perks that include private jet travel, dedicated security and a whole ‘trailer encampment’ for the newly minted Oscar winner. (Downey took home this year’s best supporting actor honors for his role in Oppenheimer.)”
- “According to one knowledgeable source, Downey is by far the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has pulled down between $500 million and $600 million over the course of four Avengers movies, three Iron Man outings and cameos in The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
Marvel echoing the return of Downey Jr. on X:
Presenting Victor Von Doom.
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 28, 2024
Robert Downey Jr. stars in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters May 2026. #SDCC
pic.twitter.com/P34bBScrGm
Variety also noted:
Sources say Downey, who is repped by WME, agreed to return to the MCU if the Russos, who are CAA clients, would be directing. “They were the only ones he would work with,” says a source familiar with the dealmaking. After all, the brothers’ two “Avengers” movies earned a whopping $4.851 billion combined.