# Robert Downey Jr. Doctor Doom deal and Avengers plans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/marvel-doctor-doom-casting > Updated: 2026-09-08T22:01:43.000Z. Sources: 99. Developments: 8. Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers duology, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Reports indicate his contract is worth approximately $100 million for the two films, making him the highest-paid actor in the current MCU phase. This deal includes extensive perks such as private-jet travel, personal security, and a dedicated dressing-room complex. Co-stars Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth are each slated to earn around $40 million. During interviews at D23 and on ‘Good Morning America’, Downey Jr. expressed a preference for the role of Victor von Doom over his former character, Tony Stark, noting that playing a villain allows him to experience a perspective he had previously missed. He described the character dynamics in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ as “unexpected, surprising, and beautiful.” Directed by the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. The film is generating unprecedented commercial momentum; Disney CFO Hugh Johnston announced at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference that domestic presales have surpassed $50 million, more than 100 days before its release. This marks a historical milestone for advance ticket sales. Approximately 70 percent of these sales are for the new ‘Infinity Vision’ premium format, a branding initiative designed to compete with IMAX. The film is expected to bring together various MCU factions, including the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men, though it faces potential competition for IMAX screens from the simultaneous release of ‘Dune: Part Three’. While principal photography and reshoots have concluded, reports suggest the final cut will have a runtime of approximately 165 minutes. To bridge the narrative gap, Marvel will re-release ‘Avengers: Endgame’ as ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ on September 25, 2026, featuring new footage and a post-credits scene. ## Claims - Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2026. (disputed by 14 sources) - Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on 17 December 2026 and Secret Wars on 18 December 2027. (disputed by 2 sources) - Avengers: Doomsday has surpassed $50 million in domestic presales. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Robert Downey Jr. will play the character Doctor Doom. (corroborated by 9 sources) - More than 70 percent of presale tickets are for Infinity Vision showtimes. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Avengers: Doomsday will face competition from Dune: Part Three on its release date. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Infinity Vision is a new premium certification for large-format screens. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Robert Downey Jr. will be paid about $100 million for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Chris Evans will be paid about $40 million for the two Avengers films. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Avengers: Doomsday hits $50M in presales 100 days before release Avengers: Doomsday has reached $50 million in domestic presales 100 days before its December 2026 release, with over 70% of sales attributed to Disney's new Infinity Vision premium format. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marvel-studios-avengers-doomsday-achieves-record-pre-sales-and-nbl-partnership ### 2026-08-19: Marvel Studios prepares for Avengers: Doomsday with new footage and massive pre-sales Marvel Studios is building momentum for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ (Dec 2026) with massive pre-sales and a special re-release of ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ featuring new footage to bridge the cinematic storylines. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-teases-character-connection-in-avengers-doomsday ### 2026-08-16: Robert Downey Jr. prefers Doctor Doom role over Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. stated he prefers playing Doctor Doom over Iron Man, citing the unique perspective of playing a villain. Disney also announced new Avengers Campus updates featuring the character. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-expresses-preference-for-doctor-doom-role-over-iron-man ### 2026-08-10: Robert Downey Jr. to earn $100M for return to Marvel Robert Downey Jr. will reportedly earn $100 million for his roles in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ while cast members praise his leadership on set. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-to-earn-100m-for-return-to-marvel ### 2026-08-04: Marvel Studios reports Fantastic Four flop and announces $100 million deal for Robert Downey Jr Marvel Studios notes *Fantastic Four*'s modest $522 M box office versus *Spider‑Man*'s record, and announces Robert Downey Jr.'s $100 M deal to play Doctor Doom in two upcoming Avengers films. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marvel-studios-reports-fantastic-four-flop-and-announces-100-million-deal-for-robert-downey-jr ### 2026-08-01: Robert Downey Jr. signs $100 million Marvel contract for upcoming Avengers films Robert Downey Jr. signs an estimated $80‑100 million deal to play Doctor Doom in Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, the biggest MCU contract to date. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-signs-100-million-marvel-contract-for-upcoming-avengers-films ### 2026-07-29: Robert Downey Jr.'s $100 M fee and latest Avengers: Doomsday details Robert Downey Jr. is set to earn $100 M for Avengers: Doomsday, with Evans and Hemsworth at $40 M each ($180 M total, 30 % of a $600 M budget); plot leaks show Doctor Doom as Sorcerer Supreme, Monica Rambeau’s 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-praises-upcoming-avengers-doomsday-amid-huge-budget-and-star-salary-reports ### 2026-07-27: Robert Downey Jr. signs $100 million Marvel contract for Doctor Doom role Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, reportedly earning about $100 million for two upcoming Avengers movies, with extensive perks and possible creative input. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/robert-downey-jr-signs-100-million-marvel-contract-to-play-doctor-doom --- Cite as: Robert Downey Jr. Doctor Doom deal and Avengers plans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/marvel-doctor-doom-casting