Downey, Jr. also recounted injuries he suffered while filming Iron Man 3 (2013), adding:
“It got me thinking about how big the message from your cosmic sponsor needs to be before you pick it up. How many genre movies can I do? How many follow-ups to a successful follow-up are actually fun?”
It’s worth noting, of course, that the MCU icon went on to star in multiple additional Avengers franchise films despite his apparent frustration.
Credit: Marvel Studios
The aforementioned article noted that RDJ isn’t the only actor who has been frustrated with Marvel’s pay structure over the years:
While Downey got what he asked for — his salary would only increase with future MCU films — the rest of the cast also made a case for why they deserved a hike. Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and Captain America star Chris Evans weren’t pleased with the paltry $500,000 increase they were offered for the second films in their respective franchises, and Black Widow actor Scarlett Johansson had reportedly told her castmates that she would not be slashing her quote for Avengers 2.
It’s worth pointing out that in the decade since The Avengers released, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become one of the biggest box office boons of all time, with films like Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and even Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness (2022) all taking top box office spots.
In fact, today, MCU stars are among the highest paid actors in Hollywood.
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
6
Credit: Marvel Studios
