“The directors aren’t even getting paid this much”: Robert Downey Jr.’s Insane Doctor Doom Salary Doesn’t Sit Well With Fans Knowing Marvel Paid Angela Bassett Peanuts for Her Oscar-Nominated Role

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom salary is rumored to be almost $100 million, which drew a lot of criticisms from fans who compared salaries.

Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom in the MCU created quite a stir among Marvel fans. The actor was at the foundation of the franchise and helped establish it with the 2008 hit Iron Man. The character of Tony Stark was a fan favorite and he made his departure after his death in Avengers: Endgame.

Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom has sparked multiple conversations about the dire state of the MCU and the impact of it on Tony Stark’s legacy. However, Downey Jr.’s reported $100 million salary for the role has also sparked controversy as fans compare it to Oscar-nominee Angela Bassett’s rumored $350K salary for Black Panther 2.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Rumored To Be Paid An Insane Salary For Avengers: Doomsday

Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man | Credits: Marvel Studios

After Avengers: Endgame, speculations over the return of Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU have been made multiple times. While the former made a small cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine as Johnny Storm (one of the best misdirects of all time), Downey Jr. was announced to be the new Doctor Doom.

Marvel chief Kevin Feige enlisted Downey Jr. as well as Avengers alumni Joe and Anthony Russo to direct the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars titles. According to a report by Variety, sources claimed that the Iron Man star would be receiving a whopping $100 million payday, while the Russoes would take home $80 million.

A still from Fantastic Four | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Robert Downey Jr. opened up about the role and the discussions regarding it in a recent podcast by THR,

[Feige] said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me, if you were to come back …’. Susan was like, ‘Wait, wait. Come back as what?’How can we not go backwards? How can we not disappoint expectations? How can we continue to beat expectations? And [Feige] brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked into this character. Later on, he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.’

Downey Jr. mentioned that he was sold on the idea after he met Disney CEO Bob Iger. According to Variety, the actor said that he would only return if the Russos were brought on board to direct.

Fans Criticize Robert Downey Jr.’s Salary While Comparing With Angela Bassett’s

Angela Bassett in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credits: Marvel Studios

The report of Robert Downey Jr. being paid up to $100 million for his return as Doctor Doom in the MCU has not sat well with fans. The insane salary, coupled with backend profits would allow the Oppenheimer star to take home a lot of money, which fans cannot believe Marvel is willing to invest.

Fans have also criticized the studio for paying as little as $350,000 to actress Angela Bassett for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (via Cosmopolitan). Bassett was nominated for an Oscar for the role, making her the first actor to be nominated for a Marvel performance.

Even actor Chadwick Boseman was reported to have been paid only $2 million for his role in Black Panther, despite the film earning over a billion dollars and receiving a Best Picture nomination.