‘Doctor Doom’ Robert Downey Jr beats Keanu Reeves with multi-million MCU deal bagging the fourth highest paid role of all time

Nothing could be wilder than the Marvel Cinematic Universe bringing back its patriarch—but this time as a villain and the big baddie. Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom was never on our bingo cards, and we couldn't have seen it coming. The announcement and face reveal will be unforgettable for as long as we live. Whether you call it a desperate attempt to save the MCU, a questionable decision, or the best announcement so far, the move has certainly set the ball rolling for the movie franchise, which had been searching for a new anchor, just like their billion-dollar blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. And now, it turns out RDJ is already breaking records and setting new ones. 

Robert Downey Jr Beats Keanu Reeves

High-profile movie roles naturally come with high-profile salaries. The list of the highest-paid movie roles ever includes names like Will Smith, Keanu Reeves, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, among others. It turns out Robert Downey Jr. has now secured a spot on this list, and not just that—he has dethroned Keanu Reeves from the fourth position with the salary he’s receiving for playing Doctor Doom in the MCU. Read on to learn more.

According to Netflix Junkie, Keanu Reeves previously held the fourth spot on the list of highest-paid movie roles with a salary of $83.3 million for The Matrix. Across all three movies, Reeves took home approximately $250 million. However, Robert Downey Jr. has now displaced Keanu from his fourth spot with the salary he's earning for playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Reports indicate that RDJ is minting $95 million for this role, which places him above the John Wick star on the list.

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Currently, Robert Downey Jr. is positioned just behind Will Smith, who holds the third-highest spot with a salary of $100 million. This gives you an idea of how much Marvel Studios is willing to invest in RDJ and his return to the MCU. Reports also suggest that RDJ will make a cameo in The Fantastic Four. If we add his salary for that appearance, the actor may have already earned $100 million total for his role as Doctor Doom.

Robert Downey Jr. on Saying Yes to Doctor Doom

Rumors have been swirling about Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU. Some speculated that his Doctor Doom would be a variant of Tony Stark, but RDJ has denied that. Recently, he spoke about how he returned to the MCU and took on the role of Victor Von Doom. Reflecting on how they stumbled upon Doctor Doom, RDJ said, "Then we both realized over time that it was another thing that just disproves any doubt anyone could ever have about that guy, a very sophisticated creative thinker, about how we can not go backwards, how we can not disappoint expectations, how we can continue to exceed expectations. And he brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked up this character and was like, 'Wow!' Later, Kevin [Feige] goes, 'Let's get Victor Von Doom right. Let's get that right.'"

Avengers: Doomsday is set for release on May 1, 2026. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also Read: Spider-Man 4: Jon Watts exit confirmed; Marvel looking for a new director for Tom Holland starrer