Robert Downey Jr. is poised to become the highest-paid actor of all time, as his latest role will earn him more than $79 million.
On Monday, it was announced that the 59-year-old star is returning to the Marvel Universe, but not as his beloved character Iron Man. Instead, he will play the villain of the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, in two new “Avengers” movies.
Reportedly, the Oscar-winning actor will receive a salary exceeding $79 million and a share of the box office revenue. Other perks in Downey’s contract include private jet travel, special security, and an entire “trailer camp.”
This will see the actor surpass the salaries of Bruce Willis in “Sixth Sense,” Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick,” and Will Smith in “Men in Black 3,” making him the highest-paid film star of all time.
Downey is already the highest-paid member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having earned $513 million as Iron Man/Tony Stark, starring in four “Avengers” movies, three “Iron Man” movies, and making small appearances in “The Incredible Hulk,” “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
Downey’s role as Doctor Doom was announced at Comic-Con in San Diego over the weekend.
While Marvel has long been the dominant brand in global cinema, recent films such as the new sequel to “Ant-Man” and “The Marvels” have failed spectacularly. Marvel executives hope Downey’s return will again generate billions of dollars for the studio titan.
Filming for the new “Avengers” movies will begin in the spring of 2025.
