Robert Downey Jr. is going to hit the jackpot again by returning to Marvel (and so are the Russo brothers!)

$50 million for the star, $40 million for the directing duo for each new Avenger. The deal behind Doomsday and Secret Wars is huge.

The production ofAvengers 5 And 6 took a boost at the last Comic-Com. Kevin Feige has rehired Anthony And Joe Russothe directors of Captain America Civil War, Infinity War And Endgameto stage Doomsday And Secret Warsscheduled for May 2026 and 2027 in theaters. Another major revelation: Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU for these two installments, but not to play Tony Stark/Iron Man. He will now be the great adversary of the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom.

Barely announced, his return had the effect of a bomb in Hollywood, some hailing the comeback of this actor who participated in creating the enormous Marvel saga in the cinema in this franchise that he adores, and that he carries largely on his shoulders thanks to his gigantic popularity with fans. For Feige, making Doom the big bad of phase 6 is also a good way toerase Kang from the equationfollowing accusations of violence against its actor, Jonathan Majors, who was fired from the franchise this year. But isn't RDJ's return to Marvel a choice “too easy” for the studio?

According to VarietyFeige will bet very big on the next two parts ofAvengers. Given the success of most of the previous episodes (remember that the MCU is the only franchise in history to have crossed the $30 billion mark at the box office, far ahead of Star Wars, Harry Potter or James Bond), the strategy could pay off? The Hollywood site claims that for each opus of the next Avengersthe Russo brothers will share $40 million. A huge sum for filmmakers: Netflix recently paid $200 million for bring back Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson to create two sequences ofAt Knives Out – to be divided equally between the two men. The details of the deal are not known, but this sum covers their salaries for Glass Onion And Wake Up Dead Manwithout the possibility of a bonus. Here, the Russo cachet could still increase if Doomsday And Secret Wars are a hit at the cinema: if they pass the billion dollar mark, they will obtain an additional percentage of the receipts, and if it crosses the two billion mark (which is possible, since Infinity War And Endgame have achieved this feat), they will receive even more.

Robert Downey Jr. almost played Dr. Doom in 2005's Fantastic Four!

What about Robert Downey Jr?
If the Russos each raise 20 million per film, that is 80 million to make the diptych, it is written in Variety that the star of Doomsday and of Secret Wars “will earn much more”. The reporter of The Insnyder He estimates the actor's salary at no less than 50 million per film, including bonuses on receipts. He points out that for EndgameRDJ's salary was “only 20 million”but the super-movie was such a hit that it ended up grossing 75 million! Avengers In 2012, he had also acquired 50 million all by himself thanks to this bonus system, more than all the other members of the superhero team combined…

“Yes, it's truehe confided at the time. It's crazy, right? They're so loaded (at Marvel). I can't believe it. I've become a 'strategic cost' for them..”

Variety calculates in this regard that by participating in four opus ofAvengersthree ofIron Man, Captain America: Civil War And Spider-Man: Homecomingthe actor is said to have earned between 500 and 600 million greenbacks in total over 15 years.

Investing such sums to bring him back for two films could set a precedent in Hollywood, starting with Marvel: in-house stars such as Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Harrison Ford (new actor for General Ross in the next film) Captain America) could they renegotiate their contracts upwards?

The other big question that has been on everyone's lips since the announcement of RDJ's return is also: how will he arrive in another cult role at Marvel while being credible? Will this new Dr. Doom be an alternate version of Tony Stark? In a parallel world? Or will this very intelligent character manage to give himself the appearance of the former ally of the Avengers to better deceive them? Could he then have several interpreters? For the moment, Marvel is obviously keeping it a secret.

Downey Jr. should logically appear as Dr. Doom as soon as Fantastic Four: First Stepswhich has just started under the direction of Matt Shakman (WandaVision), briefly, before showing the extent of his powers in Avengers 5 And 6. Note that unlike Infinity War And Endgamethese two opus will no longer be filmed in Atlanta, but in England, from the second quarter of 2025.

Gwyneth Paltrow reacts to Robert Downey Jr.'s return to Marvel: “I don't understand…”