According to Variety, after a difficult year, Marvel decided to return to the people who helped them reach the top. This decision includes reuniting the "jewel" of the film series - actor Robert Downey Jr. , and the director brothers Russo - who directed two of the studio's most successful works, "Avengers: Infinity". War” and “Avengers: Endgame” (2 blockbusters bringing in 4.851 billion USD).
But to bring these important characters back, Marvel has to pay a small price.
Sources revealed that the company spent $80 million on the Russo brothers to convince them to direct two new movies "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars".
At the same time, this famous director duo added many terms that benefit them, such as a bonus if the film's revenue exceeds 750 million USD and 1 billion USD.
The duo Anthony and Joe Russo will also be producing two new Avengers projects through their own company, AGBO. This is rare, because Marvel usually does not work with outside producers but only uses internal production teams.
Particularly for Robert Downey Jr. - who made an important contribution to turning Marvel into a money-making machine thanks to his role as Tony Stark in the first " Iron Man" movie in 2008, he was paid "significantly more" by Marvel than the figure of 80 million USD, when returning to the Marvel cinematic universe as the villain Doctor Doom.
In addition, Marvel must provide special privileges for Downey such as private jet travel, specialized security and even a "trailer camp" for the person who just won an Oscar (Downey won the actor award). best supporting role this year for his role in "Oppenheimer").
Notably, it was Robert Downey Jr. was the one who set the condition that he would only return if the director Russo brothers also returned.
According to a reliable source, Downey is the highest paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and has earned between 500-600 million USD throughout 4 "Avengers" movies, 3 "Iron Man" movies. and cameos in "The Incredible Hulk," "Captain America: Civil War" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming."
Two new Marvel movies starring Downey as a villain and directed by the Russo brothers will be filmed in London from the second quarter of 2025, instead of in Atlanta as before.
Although Marvel has become the leading brand in the film industry through its first 30 films, the company started to show cracks in 2023, with the lackluster "Ant-Man" sequel grossing only 476 million USD worldwide; along with the disastrous "The Marvels," which just surpassed the $200 million mark globally.
In addition, Marvel faces the risk that all five future "The Kang Dynasty" movies focusing on the villain Kang the Conqueror will have to be canceled, in the context of actor Jonathan Majors getting into legal trouble due to girlfriend assault scandal.
So, Marvel decided to let Robert Downey Jr.'s character Doctor Doom. replaces the villain Kang the Conqueror.
