Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly set to receive a massive paycheck for his return to the Marvel universe, as reported by Variety. The actor, who previously portrayed the iconic superhero Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is now slated to take on the role of the villain Doctor Doom in Marvel's upcoming releases.Â
In addition to Downey, the Russo Brothers are also reuniting with Marvel Studios to direct two highly anticipated films: "Avengers: Secret Wars" and "Avengers: Doomsday." The Russos, known for their successful directorial stint with Marvel's "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," are reportedly set to receive around 80 million dollars for their involvement. However, Downey's new deal with Marvel is expected to be even more lucrative, with sources indicating he will earn "significantly more." The deal also includes substantial perks such as "jet travel, security, and a whole trailer encampment."
Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom marks a significant shift from his previous role as Tony Stark/Iron Man, for which he became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. According to reports, he remains the highest-paid cast member in the MCU. His new role is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the franchise, especially with the backing of the Russo Brothers, who have a proven track record of delivering blockbuster hits.
The news of Downey and the Russo Brothers' new Marvel deal comes at a crucial time for the studio. Marvel has faced challenges in reclaiming its previous box office dominance, with recent releases underperforming compared to earlier successes. For instance, the sequel to "Ant-Man" grossed only 476 million dollars globally, and "The Marvels" failed to reach the 200 million dollar mark internationally.
The collaboration between Downey and the Russo Brothers is highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike. Their last two projects with Marvel, "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," where Downey played a central role, collectively grossed an astounding 4.851 billion dollars worldwide. The hope is that their reunion will reinvigorate the MCU and help the studio return to its former box office glory.
As Marvel prepares for this next phase, the involvement of Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers is expected to generate significant excitement and anticipation. Their combined star power and proven success formula could be key to Marvel's strategy to dominate the global box office once again. Fans eagerly await more details and the official announcements regarding these upcoming projects.
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