According to multiple reports, Marvel is handing Downey somewhere between $80 million and $100 million to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, set for late 2026. That’s not just a big number it’s the biggest upfront payment ever for a single film role. The sum eclipses deals that Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Cruise and Will Smith have scored in the past. It’s a bold statement: Marvel is betting big that Downey’s star power will translate, even in a role far removed from the hero fans know him for.

Apparently not. Word is the contract includes back-end profit sharing and some high-end perks, though Marvel’s keeping quiet on specifics. Whether or not every rumor is true, it’s clear this isn’t just a simple acting gig it’s a high-profile partnership. The studio’s willingness to structure such a deal shows just how central they believe Downey’s presence will be to the film’s success.

Casting Downey as Doctor Doom is a gamble, but a calculated one. Fans already have a deep emotional connection to him, and Marvel knows it. Switching him from the ultimate good guy to one of the MCU’s most iconic villains could generate huge curiosity and even more ticket sales. If this works, it might change how audiences view character continuity and open the door for other bold recasting moves.

If Avengers: Doomsday smashes box office records, Downey’s deal could reshape contract norms for A-list actors. Studios might be more willing to pay massive upfront sums for guaranteed crowd-pullers, especially in franchise films. And while not every actor can command $100 million, this move sets a new bar one that could shift Hollywood’s entire playbook for big-budget casting.