Fans Rally to Defend Downey’s MCU Salary, Drawing Comparisons to Tom Cruise
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Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently one of the most buzzworthy topics in Hollywood. After a series of lackluster films, MCU fans now have something exciting to anticipate, as Downey’s return is expected to bring fresh energy to the franchise. The announcement, made at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, has been met with enthusiastic chatter among fans.
Downey is set to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, also known as Victor von Doom, a classic Marvel antagonist. This new role opens up countless possibilities, though it also sets high expectations for how the MCU will manage his comeback.
Previously, we reported on a group of fans who expressed disappointment, believing Downey’s decision to return was financially motivated rather than for artistic reasons. However, there is also a strong contingent of fans who feel quite the opposite, and this report focuses on them.
Just to recap briefly: Shortly after being announced as Doctor Doom, Downey spoke with The Hollywood Reporter to share his reasons for taking on the role:
“[Feige said] how can we not go backwards, how do we not disappoint expectations, how we can continue to beat expectations. (…) I looked up this character, and I was like ‘Wow,’ and later on he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right, let’s get that right.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
While it seems Downey returned for creative reasons, some fans suspect his motivation was more financially driven, especially given his reported $100 million payday for both films—which could rise to $200 million with box office earnings. Despite acknowledging that money influenced his decision, many fans have criticized and mocked him.
Conversely, another group of fans is less concerned about the financial aspect. They argue that Downey’s salary is justified and not excessive, comparing it to Tom Cruise’s $100 million salary for Top Gun: Maverick. Here are their comments:
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