Summary
Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, but Marvel Studios had to meet one condition before he agreed to play the iconic Fantastic Four villain.
Avengers: Doomsdaywas officially announced during Marvel Studios' Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. While surrounded by a group of Doctor Doom cosplayers on the stage, one of the costumed figures stepped out and unmasked, revealing themselves to be Downey Jr. and confirming he will portray Doctor Doom in the next twoAvengersfilms. Considering that Downey Jr. retired from the MCU afterTony Stark died inAvengers: Endgame, fans assumed Marvel Studios had to meet some demands for the actor to return, and they were right.
Varietypublished a report on the money Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers will earn for theirworkAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. In addition to being paid “significantly more” than the $80 million the Russo Brothers will receive for directingAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, Downey Jr.’s deal reportedly includes private jet travel, dedicated security[,] and a whole “trailer encampment.” However,Downey Jr. reportedly only agreed to return if the Russo Brothers were on board to direct the next twoAvengersfilms.A Variety source familiar with the deal said, “They were the only ones [Downey Jr.] would work with.”
Marvel Studios also had to fork out a significant paycheck to the Russo Brothers to ensureDowney Jr. would agree to play Doctor Doom. In addition to the $80 million they’ll earn for directingAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, the Russo Brothers' deal includes “performance escalators that kick in at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds.” Per Variety, a source close to the production “disputes those figures and claims the Russo’s paydays are lower.” Marvel Studios is also straying from its standard practice of avoiding working with outside producers by allowing the Russo Brothers to produce through their AGBO production company.
It’s not surprising that Marvel Studios is willing to spend considerable money to bring Downey Jr. back to the MCU. Downey Jr.‘sIron Manlaunched the billion-dollar MCU franchise and is arguably the most recognizable (if not most popular) character since its inception. Since Downey Jr. and many other originalAvengerscast members retired from the MCU followingEndgame, the franchise has experienced trying times. WhileGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3andSpider-Man: No Way Homewere critical and box office hits, Marvel Studios has had a string of box officeflops likeAnt-Man 3andThe Marvelsand critically panned projects such as the Disney Plus seriesSecret Invasion.So, while some view Downey Jr.’s return as a desperate move, perhaps it was only a matter of time before Marvel Studios tried to enlist the MCU’s most bankable star to re-energize the franchise and its fans.
Fans must wait to see how Marvel Studios handles Doctor Doom inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. The character is one of Marvel’s most iconic villains, so fans had high expectations regardless of whoever played the role.
Avengers: Doomsdayis scheduled to be released in theaters on June 16, 2025.
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert DOwney Jr. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
