Robert Downey Jr. Receives $80 Million Salary for Avengers 5 and 6
According to Cinemadrame News Agency, global box office earnings of $218 million for Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps in its opening week, and DC’s Superman reaching $500 million after two weeks—despite a disappointing $4.5 million in China—signal a potential return to pre-pandemic levels for the industry. Marvel has ambitious plans, with the fifth and sixth installments of Avengers slated for release in 2026 and 2027, as well as a multi-faceted revival of the X-Men franchise. The strong performance of First Steps is especially gratifying for Kevin Feige and Disney.
Disney is reportedly paying a hefty salary to at least one cast member for Avengers: Doomsday. Variety has reported that Robert Downey Jr. will receive more than $80 million to play Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers films. Downey, whose total earnings from seven films and three cameo appearances have reached between $500 million and $600 million, is not expected to settle for less for Doomsday. Chris Hemsworth, returning as Thor, is another actor unwilling to negotiate his salary down for Marvel. Sources close to Marvel say Pedro Pascal will not have a major role in the new Avengers, and his character will not be central to the story. This blockbuster is currently scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.
Marvel’s next film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is set for release on July 31, 2025, followed by Doomsday in December and Avengers: Secret Wars from December 2027.
With the industry’s appetite for superhero films cooling, Marvel will not rush into the production of Blade or even the new Deadpool film. However, the studio does not plan to delay the third Black Panther film, directed by Ryan Coogler, for too long. In recent years, Marvel has suffered several commercial failures, including Thunderbolts, The Marvels, and Eternals.
