The Only Way Robert Downey Jr. Agreed To Return To The MCU

by

As an avid Marvel fan who has followed the MCU since its inception, I must say that this recent development is nothing short of exhilarating! The return of Robert Downey Jr., the man who brought Iron Man to life, now stepping into the menacing shoes of Doctor Doom, sends shivers down my spine.

As a devoted fan, I can still feel the reverberations from San Diego to Wakanda after the stunning revelation at Comic-Con 2024 last Saturday (July 27)! Robert Downey Jr., our beloved Iron Man, is making his way back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe – but this time as Doctor Doom! The climax of Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation left thousands of us fans in awe. Kevin Feige, the studio head, along with returning directors Anthony and Joe Russo, officially announced that the upcoming “Avengers” movies – “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” – will see Earth’s Mightiest Heroes squaring off against one of Marvel’s most formidable villains.

As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that it was primarily the Russo brothers’ involvement that convinced Robert Downey Jr. to come back for more Marvel adventures. A reliable insider shared with Variety that Downey would only collaborate with this dynamic duo, while an anonymous Marvel executive described his reunion with these filmmakers who directed him in three out of four of his Marvel movies as a “perfect blend of timing and everyone being on the same wavelength.”

With the Russos returning as directors being a significant factor in Downey’s decision to rejoin the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he’s also earning additional benefits such as a salary large enough to purchase a substantial portion of Doom’s homeland, Latveria.

Robert Downey Jr. will get some serious cash to play Doom

Beyond collaborating with his favorite Marvel directors, Robert Downey Jr. is set to receive an extraordinary sum of money to don Victor von Doom’s armor and green cloak. As reported by The InSneider, Downey will pocket a staggering $50 million per movie for portraying Doom, with potential increases in pay – potentially reaching up to $100 million – depending on the box office success of “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”. It’s unclear if Downey will also receive additional compensation for his rumored cameo at the end of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, where he might introduce the character.

It’s no secret that the actor from “Oppenheimer” isn’t unfamiliar with hefty paychecks for donning Marvel costumes. Downey Jr. pocketed a base salary of $20 million per piece for “Infinity War” and “Endgame”. However, his earnings from profit-sharing deals, which depend on the films’ box office success, added an estimated $75 million to his bank account for each film. He also reportedly made similar profits for “Iron Man 3.”

Furthermore, Downey’s agreement for reprising his “Avengers” role includes a private jet for commuting to and from the filming, a dedicated security detail, and what’s referred to as a “trailer compound.” This isn’t too shabby considering that, despite its significant impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Downey’s character may have fewer on-screen appearances compared to his previous portrayal of Tony Stark.

The Russos land a nice deal to reassemble the Avengers

Initially, Destin Daniel Cretton and Shawn Levy were considered by Marvel Studios to direct “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” later known as “Avengers: Doomsday,” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” respectively. However, Cretton departed the project before Jonathan Majors’ legal issues prompted Marvel to abandon him as the character Kang the Conqueror. More recent news indicates that Shawn Levy was approached for both films, but he ultimately decided not to take on those projects.

Marvel opted to pursue the Russo brothers, who previously hinted that “Secret Wars” could lure them back after dedicating seven years of their careers to the MCU. However, it wasn’t simply a gesture of goodwill; reports suggest the Russos will earn $40 million per film, with further payments if the movies surpass box office milestones of $750 million and $1 billion. Moreover, the Russos will jointly produce these films alongside Marvel through their own AGBO production company, a unique arrangement as Marvel typically maintains sole control over its productions under the Marvel Studios label.

Essentially, everyone involved in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” including Robert Downey Jr., the Russo brothers, and Marvel Studios, are set to receive their desired outcomes for these films. The question now is whether audiences will share this enthusiasm when these movies hit theaters in May 2026.

Read More

2024-07-30 23:30