In the wake of the massive success of Avengers: Endgame, fans have been trying to figure out which stars are staying in the fold at Marvel Studios, and which are bidding farewell.
The story arc of Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow, is definitive in Endgame, but the actress who plays the spy heroine will be returning for a 2020 stand-alone film, earning in the $20 million range for both starring and producing.
Chris Hemsworth, Thor, who signed with Marvel for five movies in 2010, then renegotiated in 2017 for Infinity War and Endgame, is in the $15 million to $20 million range and ready for the next phase of films.
Captain America Chris Evans, who also had a five-picture deal, not including cameos, renegotiated in the same $15 million to $20 million range before meeting his fate in Endgame.
But the face of the franchise, Robert Downey Jr.–Iron Man since 2008–had negotiated a unique financial arrangement with studio chief Kevin Feige that over the years resulted in massive paydays for the actor.
Downey receives backend from the Avengers movies. The actor likely earned from 2018’s Infinity War, which grossed more than $2 billion, at least $75 million.
For the 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, he received $5 million a day for three days’ work.
As the Marvel films have hit new heights at the global box office since Iron Man grossed $585 million worldwide, the studio has raised the threshold for star bonuses. Several years ago, a bonus would kick in after the $500 million global mark, but that threshold later became $700 million. Now bonuses don’t kick in until the film hits at least $1.5 billion, sources say.
Part of Marvel’s next phase includes the segueing of many characters to their own series on Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+. Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) negotiated deals that are separate from the movie contracts for what sources say will be six to eight episodes.
Those contracts don’t negate appearances in future Marvel movies, which could result in a separate deal-making. The next few big-screen adventures build on the plot threads of Endgame. Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) have one more option apiece, which will result in sequels to their solo movies.
