It pays well to be a superhero nowadays. No, really, the job description provides more cash than you can earn in your mundane, boring, and ever-so underwhelming 9-to-5 job. But only if you do the part on the big screen and more so if you belong to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you’re still in a doubt, we know what you’re thinking: if saving the world in front of the camera brings in the money, how much are the effective characters raking in for their films?
Take for example the recent box-office hit film “Avengers: Endgame,” the last key that binds all the 22 films that were shown in the past decade and coincidentally became a juggernaut of some sort after amassing more than a billion dollars in less than a week after its theatrical release.
Part two of the last of the franchise was filled to the brim with A-listers, which combined to defeat Thanos and his men. With the number of big names tied with the movie, it’s hard not to wonder how much they earned from such a high-grossing film — but fret not, here we give you an idea that will make you want to wish you were a superhero.
Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man
“Avengers: Endgame” featured a horde of A-listers but the one who went home with the fattest paycheck was Robert Downey Jr. whose character Iron Man started the MCU back in 2008, where he earned a meek $500,000 – according to The Hollywood Reporter, the relatively small amount was because of his then reputation that left the studio to see him as a risk.
Thanks to director Jon Favreau who fought for the then-troubled actor’s casting, RDJ finally went on to snatch millions of cash from Marvel films. For “Endgame,” RDJ reportedly pocketed a minimum of $75 million!
Chris Evans – Captain America
Chris Evans, who played soldier-turned-superhero Captain America, managed to rake in an easy $15 million, the same amount he got for “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Captain America: Civil War.” The first film that focused entirely on his character was released in 2011, where he only got $1 million, although there were even reports that the handsome face only received $300,000, below than what RDJ got.
Chris Hemsworth – Thor
For his 2011 film that centered on his character “Thor,” Chris Hemsworth reportedly went home with only $150,000! Interestingly, this significantly multiplied when he scored $15 million for “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Thor: Ragnarok” – for the 2019 “Endgame,” he also got a $15-million paycheck.
Scarlett Johansson – Black Widow
Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, may have died in “Endgame,” but the actress surely went home with a chunk of money. It isn’t clear, however, how much the 34-year-old actually earned but given the fact that she got $15 million, the same salary as the two Chrises, for “Age of Ultron” and that she will be reportedly getting $15 million for her stand-alone film in 2020/2021, it is safe to say she went home with the same amount.
Jeremy Renner – Hawkeye
Hawkeye only came to the MCU in 2012, the first installment of “The Avengers,” where Jeremy Renner reportedly got $2 to $3 million, the same amount other cast members also received. For “Endgame,” he was expected to pocket $15 million after being billed after Scarlett.
Mark Ruffalo – Hulk
The Hulk used to be played by Edward Norton in the 2008 film. It was only in 2012 when Mark Ruffalo took on the role for “The Avengers,” wherein he reportedly had a $2 to $3 million salary. Because he was billed between the two Chrises in “Endgame,” it is logical to conclude he earned $15 million.
