Insider Jeff Sneider claimed earlier this month that Robert Downey Jr. would return as Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After a couple of weeks, Marvel Studios confirmed the claim at its Hall H panel at the recent San Diego Comic-Con 2024, unveiling the iconic Iron Man actor as one of the olive-robed men wearing a Doctor Doom mask. However, before his epic comeback was finally announced, Downey reportedly had one condition, and, as expected, his return also came with a massive payday.
In a report by Variety, sources said that part of Downey’s agreement to return to the MCU was for Anthony and Joe Russo, who helmed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, to also come back to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Allegedly, they were the only directors he wanted to work with.
“They were the only ones he would work with,” the insider said.
With the success of Infinity War and Endgame, earning a whopping $4.851 billion combined and bringing the biggest feats to the MCU, this move to have the Russo brothers return isn’t surprising. In fact, many wish to see them return to helm the new Avengers films as the studio continuously looks for the best directors. As Marvel Studios aims to regain its footing, an executive close to the project said that the collaboration between Downey and the Russos is a “perfect combination of timing and everyone being on the same page.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s and Russo Brothers’ Paychecks & Other Conditions
Marvel Studios used to dominate superhero films until everything started to change when a couple of its movies became box office flops. Peyton Reed’s 2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp only made $476 million worldwide, while Nia DaCosta’s 2023 The Marvels barely cleared the $200 million mark globally, with both poorly performing in cinemas. Add those to the need to change the future of the Avengers arc, which was centered on the villain Kang the Conqueror, due to Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles and Disney cutting ties with the actor after being convicted of assault and harassment. Variety earlier claimed that the studio was already eyeing Doctor Doom to replace Kang as the Avengers’ new main villain and have Downey back.
However, bringing Downey and the Russo brothers back doesn’t come cheap. Sources said Marvel Studios would pay Anthony and Joe $80 million to direct Doomsday and Secret Wars. And though the deal doesn’t come with a back-end compensation, it includes performance escalators that start at $750 million and $1 billion thresholds. They are also set to produce the two movies through their AGBO banner, a major change for Marvel, knowing it doesn’t work with outside producers and aiming to keep working with an in-house team.
Alternatively, though the exact amount of Downey’s paycheck isn’t revealed, it is said to be “significantly more” than the directors to play Doctor Doom in the two tentpoles. But as a knowledgeable source said that the actor is by far the highest-paid MCU star and has received between $500 million and $600 million throughout his four Avengers movies, three Iron Man outings, and cameos in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming, he may once again receive a six-digit payment. His deal also includes a lot of perks, like traveling through a private jet, dedicated security, and a whole “trailer encampment.”
In addition, there will be some changes in the production. While the previous two Avengers films were shot in Atlanta, the new installments will be filmed in London. Production is reportedly set to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
Downey’s star power, which helped the MCU become as big as it is today, starting with his first outing as Tony Stark in Jon Favreau’s 2008 Iron Man, makes it only reasonable that he will have a huge paycheck and great deals. However, it remains to be seen if fans will only see him again in Doomsday or if he will make a cameo in the prior movies, like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to set up his arc.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025, followed by Avengers: Doomsday on May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
