Robert Downey Jr.‘s surprise return to the MCU has been the talk of the week, and a new report suggests his return only came about due to the Russo Brothers also coming back.
A new Variety report detailing the behind-the-scenes information on Downey Jr.‘s return noted that the legendary actor would only come back if the Russo Brothers also did. “They were the only ones he would work with,” a source in Variety’s story said.
Downey Jr. and the Russos are no strangers to one another, with the Russos having directed Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, all of which featured Downey Jr. and went on to become massive hits at the box office.
Downey Jr.’s return also includes private jets, a trailer “encampment,” and more
Variety’s report also broke down some of the luxuries that Downey Jr. will be afforded now that he’s back in the Marvel Studios fold. The report notes that, outside of a large payday, Downey Jr.’s deal includes “private jet travel, dedicated security and a whole ‘trailer encampment'” for the star.
The report also notes that the actor is now the “highest-paid member” of the MCU and has reportedly taken home anywhere between $500-600 million over the course of his Marvel Studios tenure. The Russo Brothers are also said to be taking home a big payday for the next two Avengers movies; the report mentions they will each be paid $80 million, with back-end compensation and performance escalators depending on how the movie does at the box office.
Avengers: Doomsday does not have an official release date yet, although Marvel Studios has said the film is coming in May 2026. It was previously dated a year prior for May 2, 2025, but joined a lengthy list of Marvel delays as many movies saw rewrites and were impacted by the entertainment industry strikes throughout 2023.
