Marvel is betting big on Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers. After a challenging year, Marvel is turning back to what has worked in the past. This means reuniting with Downey Jr. and the Russo Bros., who directed the massively successful “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
Bringing back these key players won’t come cheap. Sources reveal that Marvel is paying $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russoto direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Downey, taking on the role of Doctor Doom, is set to earn even more. The Russo brothers’ deal includes performance bonuses that kick in at $750 million and $1 billion thresholds, and they’ll also produce the films through their AGBO banner, marking a shift for Marvel, which usually works with in-house producers.
Downey, who helped launch Marvel into a powerhouse with his portrayal of Tony Stark in 2008’s “Iron Man,” will earn much more then them, and has a deal packed with perks like private jet travel, dedicated security, and a “trailer encampment.” Fresh off an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor in “Oppenheimer,” Downey remains the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, earning between $500 million and $600 million across four “Avengers” movies, three “Iron Man” films, and various cameos.
Some changes are in order, though. While the previous “Avengers” movies were shot in Atlanta, the new ones will be filmed in London starting in the second quarter of 2025.
Downey Jr. set to earn record-breaking paycheck as Doctor Doom
Marvel’s dominance in cinema started to waver in 2023 with a lackluster “Ant-Man” sequel that made just $476 million globally and the disastrous “The Marvels,” which barely cleared $200 million worldwide. The future “Avengers” storyline, centered on villain Kang, had to be scrapped due to actor Jonathan Majors’ legal issues. After Majors was convicted of assault and harassment, Disney cut ties with him, and director Destin Daniel Cretton exited “Avengers: Kang Dynasty.”
Variety reported that Marvel considered pivoting from Kang to Doctor Doom, with Kevin Feige eager to bring back Downey. Downey agreed to return if the Russo brothers were directing, as they were the only ones he would work with, according to a source.
The Russo brothers’ two “Avengers” movies grossed a combined $4.851 billion. As Marvel aims to regain its footing, the Downey/Russos reunion is seen as a “perfect combination of timing and everyone being on the same page,” according to an executive close to the project.