After a challenging year, Marvel has decided to revert to the recipe of past success. That means re-working with film history superstar Robert · Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers, the directors who directed two box office champions, "Avengers 3: Infinity War" and "Avengers 4: Endgame."
However, recalling core team members can be costly. According to sources, Marvel will pay $80 million to Anthony and Joe · Russo brothers to direct "Avengers 5" and "Avengers 6", while Downey is paid "much more" for playing the supervillain "Doctor Doom". It is reported that the only condition for Downey's return is that the film must be directed by the Russo brothers: "They are the only people he is willing to work with." ”
The Russo Brothers' contract does not include a box office share, but it does include performance bonuses when they reach the box office of $750 million and $1 billion. The brothers will also produce both films through their own AGBO company. This marks a major shift for Marvel, as Marvel typically doesn't work with outside producers, preferring instead to operate with an internal team.
For Downey, who propelled Marvel to the box office peak with the "Iron Man" franchise, his contract is full of benefits, including private jets, dedicated security, and a full "trailer camp". It is worth mentioning that Downey won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor this year for "Oppenheimer".
According to a person familiar with the matter, Downey is the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, earning a total of $500 million to $600 million in four Avengers movies, three Iron Man movies, and cameos in The Incredible Hulk, Captain United States: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Still, some changes are necessary. While the Russo Brothers' previous two Avengers films were shot in Atlanta, the new film will begin filming in London in the second quarter of 2025.
Although Marvel became the most powerful brand in the film industry in the first 30 films, it began to crack in 2023, with the lackluster "Ant-Man 3" grossing just $476 million worldwide, while the disastrous "Captain Marvel 2" barely grossed more than $200 million worldwide.
In addition, due to a legal dispute with actor Jonathan · Majors, the entire future "Avengers" series centered on Kang had to be scrapped. Disney, the parent company of Marvel, disowned Majors hours after he was convicted of assault and harassment for an argument with his then-girlfriend. Director Destin Daniel Cretton also quit "Avengers 5" immediately.