The production for the eagerly awaited film, “Avengers: Doomsday,” has officially begun in London. Although news of the movie’s production start is significant by itself, it’s Marvel Studios’ move to allow Robert Downey Jr. to travel between Malibu and London using a private jet that really stands out. Yes, the same Marvel that is known for tight budgeting, particularly in visual effects, has bestowed upon the “Chaplin” actor an A-list privilege that suggests a lavish spending approach.
As per Variety, Downey’s comeback in the upcoming superhero film comes with a hefty salary and luxurious amenities such as a personal security detail, custom trailer setup, and private air travel. He will appear in both “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars,” portraying the villain Doctor Doom. The Russos are directing again, with rumors suggesting they’ll earn $80 million for both films combined. Downey’s pay is reportedly “substantially higher,” a reflection of his estimated earnings of $500-$600 million from his tenure in the MCU.
In an unexpected move for a studio typically reluctant to collaborate with external producers, even allowing the Russos to produce through their AGBO label represents quite a departure from the norm. However, what makes this deal stand out even more is Marvel’s agreement to provide the Oscar winner with his own private jet, which certainly buckles the typical Marvel playbook.
It’s quite evident that the situation isn’t keeping secrets. Back in March, Bleeding Cool revealed a heated controversy involving Marvel Comics. Notable creators like Dustin Nguyen and Sean Murphy openly criticized the company for alleged long-term financial mistreatment. They claimed they received no royalties on international sales, stagnant wages, and reuse of their work without proper compensation.
In simpler terms, Nguyen’s popular posts criticized Marvel for allegedly offering low wages and refusing to increase page rates beyond $75 even after 15 years of service. Sean Murphy admitted he had been effectively banned from working with them for a decade. Zoe Thorogood shared her experience of being paid only $100 for work that Marvel later used without providing any prior notice.
From my perspective, Downey’s luxury jet touch down points are quite striking. It’s not just about personal comfort; it seems to carry a certain symbolic flair. Historically, Marvel has been known for tightly managing its talent, particularly on the comics side. Even in Hollywood, they haven’t always had the most generous reputation when it comes to backend deals or bonus structures. So, the green light for the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang performer seems quite unusual given Marvel’s typical character.
Additionally, it sparks some intrigue. Being renowned environmental champions, Robert Downey Jr. and his spouse Susan, reside in the Binishell, their Malibu estate – a beacon of sustainable living, utilizing wind turbines and hydropanels to extract drinking water from air. Downey himself co-founded the Footprint Coalition, an investment fund focusing on green technology. However, flying long-haul private jets for filming days of “Doomsday” seems contradictory, a matter that hasn’t escaped public attention.

It appears that Marvel is currently in a phase of rebuilding. The release of movies like “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” didn’t quite meet expectations, leading to adjustments in their original Kang-centric plans following Jonathan Majors’ legal issues. Revisiting successful elements such as Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers seems like a deliberate move. Last year’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” and the recent triumph of “Thunderbolts” have provided the studio with a financial and confidence boost. Now, “Doomsday” represents a significant reset for Marvel.
It’s quite astonishing to ponder the idea of Marvel supposedly withholding royalties on a lunchbox design, whereas they seemingly don’t seem to mind spending for the ‘Iron Man’ star’s extravagant air travel. This can be viewed as brand loyalty, business strategy, or simply how things operate in the industry. However, it’s an impressive advantage for a studio that typically turns down creators asking for additional compensation for their work and creativity.
The next Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film arriving is titled Fantastic Four: First Footsteps, slated for release in cinemas on July 25th, 2025. Conversely, it’s anticipated that Avengers: Doomsday will premiere in theaters on May 1st, 2026.
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2025-05-14 17:57