Marvel’s the Avengers broke many box office records since it was
released in early 2012. It has already broken the one billion dollar
mark with its global ticket sales. Of course it would not have been
possible without the celebrities that portrayed Iron Man, Captain
America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury. As it stands,
they received a hefty payday because of the success of the super team
comic book movie.
Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. started the success of the Avengers, so to speak.
Iron Man was the first venture of Marvel Studios in the big screen and
if it weren’t for the charm and wits of Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron
Man, the entire Marvel cinematic universe wouldn’t have opened up in the
first place.
Downey Jr. reportedly earned $5 million for the 2008 Iron Man. It
then elevated to $12.5 million for Iron Man 2. However, Marvel’s the
Avengers was a whole new different deal. He reportedly received $50
million for this blockbuster film.
The reported $50 million does not comprise the talent fee alone. When
the 2008 Iron Man earned $585 million, the representatives of Downey
Jr. negotiated with Marvel to give the Iron Man actor a fraction of
Ticket Marvel’s the Avengers revenue for any film that will feature his likeness as Iron
Man. This includes box office bonuses and back end compensation.
As a contrast, all the other actors were said to only receive $2
million to 3 million for the film. This was a surprising Marvel move
because they are known to cut cost efficient actor deals. The most
notable example was Terrence Howard who got a 50% to 80% pay cut after
Marvel learned that his role as War Machine is limited. Marvel then
replaced him with Don Cheadle.
But a quick glance around Hollywood will reveal that Downey Jr.’s
rate is even below what other stars were earning. Johnny Depp was said
to have made at least $250 million for the four Pirates of the Caribbean
movies while director Michael Bay received $80 million for the first
Transformers (and more from the two other sequels).
In any case, the net worth of Downey Jr. is pegged at $80 million. He
also has another active movie franchise in Sherlock Holmes. On the
other hand, Iron Man 3 will come out in theaters on May 2013.
Captain America: Chris Evans
Chris Evans is a familiar face for Marvel movie fans because he once
played the Human Torch for Fantastic Four and the sequel Fantastic Four:
Rise of the Silver Surfer. He was then recast as Captain America, the
first Avenger that opened to a tune of $65 million and had a lifetime
gross of $176 million. Presently, he has a net worth of $10 million.
Evans will reprise his role for Captain America 2 in 2014 and
Avengers 2 in 2015. For the Avengers, he was said to have a salary
between $2 million to $3 million.
Thor: Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth has a current net worth of $12 million. While he is
most popular for his role as Thor, the God of Thunder, for Marvel’s the
Avengers (and the majority of Thor jokes that come with it), he has also
made successful movie appearances elsewhere.
Hemsworth has starred in the Josh Whedon directed horror film called
Cabin in the Woods. He also portrayed the role of Huntsman in Snow White
and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron. As for
the Marvel cinematic universe, he will reprise his role for Thor 2 and
will appear as well for Avengers 2.
Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s character Black Widow may be a supporting
character in the Avengers that occasionally popped up in Iron Man 2. But
make no mistake: Scarlett Johansson is a huge star in her own right.
Her voluptuous curves and acting pedigree has helped her develop a net
worth of $35 million. She negotiated a $20 million pay to reprise her
role as the Black Widow in the inevitable sequel of The Avengers.
Scarlett has long made the top ten lists of the hottest Hollywood
stars. She has started acting at a very young age and this has helped
her build her fortune. Her other acting credits include North (with
Elijah Wood), The Girl with the Pearl Earring and the Other Boleyn Girl.
Hulk: Mark Ruffalo
Marvel Studios also made a reboot of the Hulk when it developed the
Incredible Hulk in 2008 starring Edward Norton. However, there were
irreconcilable differences in negotiation with money and creative
collaboration. Thus, a new actor was brought in to portray the Green
Gamma Ray Goliath. Mark Ruffalo was to be the next Incredible Hulk and
it was first met with disdain and disappointment by hardcore fans.
However, when his performance in Marvel’s the Avengers almost stole
the show, he instantly won the admiration and acceptance of many fans.
Talks are now underway for a new Incredible Hulk movie. Ruffalo has also
signed a six-movie deal with Marvel to portray the Hulk. The good news
for many fans: Marvel’s the Avengers is just the first.
Ruffalo has a net worth of $10 million and most of it came from his
work on movies such as Shutter Island, Zodiac and You Can Count on Me.
Hawkeye: Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner was another high value addition to the Avengers for his
supporting role of Hawkeye. He only has a net worth of $9 million. But
his acting credits are off the charts with multiple Academy Awards for
The Hurt Locker and Town.
Nick Fury: Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is a man of his own shadow when it comes to
Hollywood. The veteran actor has a net worth of $150 million and his
presence in the Avengers served to stabilize the various personalities
in this super team superhero movie.
Jackson is highly respected not only as a movie actor but also as a
TV producer. His stellar acting credits include memorable Hollywood
films such as Goodfellas, Die Hard III, Pulp Fiction and Patriot Games.
Jackson also signed a six-picture deal to reprise his role as Nick Fury.
Disney and Marvel Studios have already announced a sequel for the Avengers.
