Marvel paid more than $80 million for Robert Downey Jr. to return

According to Variety, after a difficult year, Marvel has decided to return to the people who helped them reach the top. This decision includes reuniting the “crown jewel” of the series - actor Robert Downey Jr., and the Russo brothers - who directed the two most successful works of the studio, “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” (2 blockbusters that brought in 4.851 billion USD).

But to bring back these important characters, Marvel had to pay a high price.

Sources revealed that the company spent 80 million USD for the Russo brothers to convince them to direct 2 new movies "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars".

At the same time, this famous director duo added many favorable terms for them, such as bonuses if the film's revenue exceeds 750 million USD and 1 billion USD.

Anthony and Joe Russo will also produce two new Avengers projects through their own company, AGBO. This is rare, as Marvel usually does not work with outside producers but only uses internal production teams.

As for Robert Downey Jr. - who played a key role in turning Marvel into a money-printing machine thanks to his role as Tony Stark in the first "Iron Man" movie in 2008, he was paid "significantly more" than $80 million by Marvel when he returned to the Marvel cinematic universe as the villain Doctor Doom.

Plus, Marvel had to accommodate Downey's exclusive perks like private jet travel, dedicated security, and a "trailer camp" for the recent Oscar winner (Downey won best supporting actor this year for his role in "Oppenheimer").

Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers (left) return to Marvel. Photo: Variety

Notably, it was Robert Downey Jr. who set the condition that he would only return if the Russo brothers also returned.

According to a reliable source, Downey is the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and has earned between $500-600 million across four "Avengers" films, three "Iron Man" films, and guest roles in "The Incredible Hulk," "Captain America: Civil War," and "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Two new Marvel films starring Downey as the villain and directed by the Russo brothers will be filmed in London from the second quarter of 2025, instead of in Atlanta as before.

While Marvel had become the industry's top brand through its first 30 films, the studio began to show cracks in 2023, with the lackluster "Ant-Man" sequel grossing just $476 million worldwide ; along with the disastrous "The Marvels," which barely cracked the $200 million mark globally.

Additionally, Marvel is at risk of having all five future “The Kang Dynasty” films focusing on the villain Kang the Conqueror canceled, amid legal troubles for actor Jonathan Majors due to an assault scandal with his girlfriend.

So Marvel decided to have Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom replace the villain Kang the Conqueror.

Source: https://laodong.vn/giai-tri/marvel-tra-hon-80-trieu-usd-de-robert-downey-jr-tai-xuat-1373761.ldo