Fans stand in support of Robert Downey Jr., as the actor faces criticism for his hefty paycheck to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom.

Fans of the beloved Marvel star Robert Downey Jr. have taken a stand for him as he finds himself at the center of a controversy. The actor, famously known for playing Iron Man in the superhero franchise, was recently revealed to be returning to the cinematic universe, this time as the formidable villain Doctor Doom.

Robert Downey Jr. to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom | Credit: @robertdowneyjr via Instagram

However, his return hasn’t come cheap for the studio, with reports claiming the Oscar-winning actor is pocketing a hefty salary, leading some to express their displeasure. However, fans have questioned the backlash arguing that other Hollywood stars have pocketed even bigger sums without any scrutiny.

Robert Downey Jr. Reportedly Being Paid $95 Million For His Return to the MCU

Follwoing his exit as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. is now set to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. And the actor is reportedly being rewarded handsomely for his new role.

Avengers: Endgame | Credit: Marvel

Recent reports have claimed that the actor is receiving a staggering $95 million for his role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Apart from the hefty paycheck, he is also rewarded with some special facilities and benefits.

As per Variety, Downey Jr. is to be facilitated with private jet travel, dedicated security, and a personal trailer encampment. The report also revealed that he is the highest-paid actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by a significant margin.

Throughout his tenure in the MCU, which includes four Avengers movies, three solo outings, and cameos in The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War, and Spider-Man: Homecoming, he has reportedly earned between $500 million and $600 million.

Robert Downey Jr. | Credit: Gage Skidmore/CCA BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

Despite this impressive track record, the news of his substantial paycheck for a single film has sparked some controversy. However, fans of the actor argue that such criticism is unwarranted, pointing out that he’s not the first actor to command such a high salary for a single film.

Fans Defend Robert Downey Jr. Amid Backlash Over Doctor Doom Paycheck

With the recent reports of Robert Downey Jr. potentially getting $95 million for his MCU return, many have voiced their disapproval. People took to X (Twitter) to share their objections, with one user saying, “No actor deserves to be paid $95 million for a single movie.”

However, fans of the Marvel star were quick to argue against it, noting that Downey Jr. is not the first A-list star to make such an amount from a movie role, especially pointing out the Top Gun star Tom Cruise.

“I love that no one said anything when Tom Cruise was paid 100+ million for Maverick,” one X (Twitter) user said, arguing that the backlash may stem from it being an MCU project.

Cruise, who reprised his role as Maverick in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick, earned around $100 million, largely due to the film’s box office success.

Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick | Credit: Paramount

The movie grossed $1.49 billion worldwide, with Cruise reportedly accepting a modest $12.5 million upfront in exchange for a lucrative backend deal tied to ticket sales.

While some argued that it would be acceptable if Downey Jr. earned a similar amount through backend deals, they expressed concerns over him receiving an upfront paycheck of $95 million.

However, fans continued sharing their divided opinions on the matter. Some argue that if Downey Jr. can generate more revenue than he’s being paid, his salary is justified. Others maintain that $95 million, though not officially confirmed, is excessive for a single film.