Robert Downey Jr assembles eye-watering fortune from new Marvel deal
RDJ kicked off the global phenomenon back in 2008 when he first appeared on the big screen as the fan-favourite Iron Man.
After Iron Man's death in 'Avengers: Endgame' in 2019, it looked like the charismatic actor was finished with the superhero life and went on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' four years later. Robert Downey Jr will play Doctor Doom in the next two Avengers films. Pic:for Disney
Although, his Marvel retirement did not last long, as last year it was announced that RDJ will return to the franchise in next year's 'Avengers: Doomsday' and the following year's 'Avengers: Secret Wars'.
This time, however, the 60-year-old is not returning as the beloved Iron Man and is instead taking up the villainous role of Doctor Doom.
The announcement brought about confusion, excitement and overall mixed reactions from Marvel fans.
It might not be too much of a mystery though as to why RDJ has returned so quickly after looking at the paycheck the iconic star is set to receive for playing Doom in the next two Avengers movies. Actor Robert Downey Jr. (Photo by)
Variety originally reported that RDJ will be making over $80million on the films but according to 'people familiar with the deal', that figure could be closer to $95million.
This will be the most RDJ has ever earned over a two-film spell with Marvel but it only adds to a gargantuan sum that he has already accumulated.
Variety sources say that the actor has earned between $500million and $600million over the course of seven Marvel movies and three cameos.
With a paycheck like this it seems certain that RDJ will be getting the most screen-time in Doomsday, which is set to release on December 18, 2026. RDJ won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2023. Pic:To put these earnings into perspective, the star's Doom payday is almost half of the entire budget for Marvel's recently released 'Fantastic Four: First Steps', which Disney pegged at somewhere north of $200million.
It's no secret that Disney and Marvel can afford these big budgets with their blockbuster movies usually turning a mega-profit.
Last year, their film 'Deadpool & Wolverine', starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, made $1.34billion worldwide. It had a rough budget of $200million.
However, 'Avengers: Doomsday' looks set to be Marvel's most expensive movie to date with massive production costs and a seemingly never-ending cast list, including RDJ's massive deal.
It has been speculated that Doomsday could cost upwards of $1billion to make.
While that may sound like far too much to gamble on a movie, Marvel probably won't be sweating too much after their last two Avengers films – Infinity War and Endgame – grossed $2.048billion and $2.799billion respectively.
No matter how they turn out in the end, one thing is for sure – Robert Downey Jr's bank account looks more and more like Iron Man's with every movie.
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