It was announced earlier this week that the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. are returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe – but how much are they getting paid to do so?
At San Diego Comic-Con last Saturday (July 27), Downey Jr. confirmed that he will be returning to the franchise to play Dr Doom, one of its biggest villains, in the forthcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.
The actor shocked fans at the San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel by removing a mask among a group of hooded figures wearing masks of the comic book villain.
“I like playing complicated characters,” he said as fans started chanting his name. “New mask, same task.”
Downey Jr. had previously been part of the franchise as Iron Man, starting in 2008 with the titular film. He starred in 10 other movies before exiting after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
It was also confirmed at the event that the Russo brothers would also be making a return to Marvel to direct after rumours emerged recently about their comeback.
The brothers previously helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014, Captain America: Civil War in 2016, followed by Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
How much will the trio receive for returning to Marvel?
According to Variety, sources say that Marvel is offering $80million (£62million) to Anthony and John Russo to direct the next two movies in the franchise: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
For Downey Jr., the outlet says he’s been offered “significantly more” for returning to the two films.
Variety reports that Downey Jr. is the “highest-paid” member of the MCU, earning between $500-600million (£388-466million) over the course of his Marvel career to date. The outlet also reported that according to sources, Downey Jr, would only return to the MCU on the understanding that the Russos would direct.
Speaking at the San Diego Comic-Con earlier this week, John Russo explained: “When we directed Avengers: Endgame, Joe and I truly believed that it was the end of the road for us in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“In the time since, through a very special story, Joe and I have come to potentially see a road forward with you.”
The news follows the release of Marvel’s latest film Deadpool & Wolverine in cinemas last week. It was co-written by Ryan Reynolds, who reprises his role as the regenerative antihero, alongside Hugh Jackman as the mutant X-Men figure.
Deadpool & Wolverine will see both characters finally integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it serves as the latest entry in Phase Five of the saga, following on from November’s The Marvels.