Legendary actor Robert Downey Jr. has delivered several incredible performances throughout his career. Among his various performances, the actor is popularly known for his iconic role of Iron Man. The actor first appeared as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the 2008 film Iron Man, where he brought the beloved Marvel comic character to life.
The film marked his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his role as Iron Man has indeed proved to be a backbone of the MCU throughout its run. Downey Jr. has made a significant contribution to shaping the franchise into what it is today, and he agrees with it.
Robert Downey Jr. acknowledged his contribution as Iron Man in shaping the MCU
Robert Downey Jr. is undoubtedly one of the best actors in Hollywood, and with his performance as Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man, he has firmly established his name in the film industry. Though today, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is facing a tough time, there was a time when the franchise was at its peak, and a major credit for it goes to Downey Jr.
The actor himself agrees that he has made a significant contribution to shaping the franchise. During an interview, the actor said,
“If you’d asked me in 2008, 2009, 2010 how I felt about it, I would say that I was the Atlas of the Marvel Universe. I was holding it up well. They should erect a shrine in my honor.”
Indeed, Downey is correct here, and it’s not too much to ask for if we see his contribution to the franchise; he was indeed the backbone of the MCU. However, his contribution did not go unnoticed by the studios, as he was the highest-paid actor among all the Marvel actors.
Robert Downey Jr. was the highest-paid actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
With his impeccable performance as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. soon became a pillar of the franchise. The actor reprised his role in several films, including Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
With his captivating performance, Downey Jr. earned a massive fan base worldwide. Looking at his immense popularity and supremacy, Marvel Studios was convinced to pay him whatever amount he asked for, and he even earned a substantial sum, which was significantly higher than his co-stars’ salaries. According to reports, Downey made $50 million for his role in Age of Ultron, whereas the rest of the lead star cast just earned around $200,000.
All three Iron Man movies are available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Youtube
