Robert Downey Jr. and The Russo Bros. Will Get Massive Paydays to Return to Marvel
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The big Marvel news to come out of Comic-Con this past weekend was that Joe and Anthony Russo are returning to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars and that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing the villain Doctor Doom.
As you might imagine, bringing this high end talent back is not going to be cheap for Marvel and Disney, and the talent will be getting massive paydays!
According to Variety, Marvel is throwing down $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars and “significantly more” for Downey to play Doom in the two epic films.
It’s explained that the Russos’ deal doesn’t include back-end compensation, but it does contain performance escalators that kick in at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds.
Russos will also produce the two films through their AGBO production company banner, which is a first for Marvel Studios as they don’t really work with outside producers, preferring to keep the team in house.
As for Downey Jr., his deal also is filled with all kinds of perks, which include private jet travel, dedicated security, and a whole “trailer encampment.” You know, all kinds of very important things that rich people need in their lives. It’s so ridiculous.
Downey Jr. also said he would return only if Joe and Anthony Russo would direct the Avengers films. An insider said: "They were the only ones he would work with.”
The report goes on to say that Downey Jr. is “by far the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has pulled down between $500 million and $600 million over the course of four Avengers movies, three Iron Man outings and cameos in The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
While it’s cool and interesting that this team of talent is coming back together, it also shows how desperate Marvel is right now. They’ve had a rough go over the past few years so they are going back to the familiar talent that previously delivered the hits and hoping that their investment is going to pay off.
What do you think about how much Disney and Marvel are paying the Russo Bros. and Downey Jr.? Is it worth it?