Behind Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers’ Huge ‘Avengers’ Earnings

After a challenging year, Marvel is returning to what has worked well in the past. This strategy means reuniting with Robert Downey Jr., the franchise’s crown jewel, and the Russo brothers, who directed Marvel’s two most successful movies, “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”

Bringing back these key players, however, comes with a hefty price tag. Sources reveal that Marvel is shelling out $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Robert Downey Jr. will receive “significantly more” to portray the formidable villain Doctor Doom in the same films. While the Russo brothers’ deal doesn’t include back-end compensation, it does have performance escalators that activate at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds. They will also produce the two films through their AGBO banner, marking a departure from Marvel’s usual practice of keeping the team in-house.

Robert Downey Jr., who has been instrumental in turning Marvel into a box office powerhouse with his role as Tony Stark in the first “Iron Man” film in 2008, has been offered a deal filled with perks. These include private jet travel, dedicated security, and an extensive “trailer encampment” for the newly crowned Oscar winner. (Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer” this year.)

A knowledgeable source noted that Downey Jr. is unquestionably the highest-paid actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having earned between $500 million and $600 million over his participation in four “Avengers” movies, three “Iron Man” films, and cameos in “The Incredible Hulk,” “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

Despite these lucrative deals, some changes are in order. Unlike the previous “Avengers” movies, which were shot in Atlanta, the new installments will be filmed in London beginning in the second quarter of 2025.

Marvel’s dominance in cinema was noticeable with its first 30 films, but cracks began to appear in 2023. The “Ant-Man” sequel brought in a modest $476 million worldwide, while “The Marvels” barely cleared the $200 million mark globally. Adding to the problems, Marvel had to scrap their future “Avengers” arc centered around the villain Kang due to actor Jonathan Majors’ legal issues. Disney, Marvel’s parent company, severed ties with Majors following his conviction for assault and harassment. In short order, director Destin Daniel Cretton exited “Avengers: Kang Dynasty.”

According to a Variety cover story, Marvel was considering pivoting from Kang to Doctor Doom as Majors’ issues escalated. Chief Kevin Feige was eager to bring back Downey Jr., who will transition from his Broadway debut in Ayad Akhtar’s “mcneal” to preproduction on “Avengers” in the new year.

Sources indicate that Downey Jr., who is represented by WME, agreed to return to the MCU on the condition that the Russo brothers—CAA clients—would be directing. “They were the only ones he would work with,” a source familiar with the dealmaking said.

The previous two “Avengers” movies directed by the Russos earned an astounding $4.851 billion combined. As Marvel aims to reboot its success, the reuniting of Downey Jr. and the Russos is “a perfect combination of timing and everyone being on the same page,” says a close executive.

Source: Variety