10 years since Robert Downey Jr. earned $50 million first time the avengersstepping into a superhero costume is one of the last ways actors earn a major payday. has become nothing more than Hollywood lore, even A+ stars aren’t making as much as they used to.
And all too often, iconic characters like Spider-Man and Batman are seen by studios as more important and valuable than the famous movie stars who play them. You might earn the highest amount while wearing it. scarlett johansson during their since-resolved dispute over the day and date black widow release.Florence Pugh was already an Oscar nominee when she appeared black widow As Yelena Belova, she will receive eight figures in her next two Marvel films, including leading a villain-centric ensemble cast. thunderboltscheduled for July 26, 2024.
Paydays for superheroes vary greatly depending on experience. First-time superhero lead roles have stayed in the mid-six figures for the past decade. The director, who is also new to Marvel and his DC universe, will also make his mid-six figures in his first superhero feature. That fee could jump two to five times what he did for the sequel Helmer.
This means that Marvel’s first-time director won’t get a bigger payday than other studio fees.
Meanwhile, others tied to the world of comics are nowhere near those numbers. nominal amount they are provided.
Writer Devin Grayson, who co-created Jelena Belova in the late ’90s, revealed his salary in July, revealing he only received $5,000 of the $12,500 promised. black widow. (after THR published the story Reflecting her claims, Marvel agreed to pay the remaining $7,500.)
Fees for TV shows are even lower than fees for film adaptations (comic book writers and artists typically receive direct fees with no balance).Grayson was offered for just $300 per episode Hawkeye While featuring Yelena, one of the co-creators of the CW show’s title character has yet to receive payment for the series. They fear they will not receive compensation due to the complications involved in the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Writers and artists are generally hesitant to create characters for Marvel or DC. Because those characters don’t qualify for wealth if he becomes the face of a billion-dollar movie franchise. Indies often choose her publisher route (think: old guard Also the walking dead), where you can get a better deal on IP retention. While the majority of indie comics don’t cause an enviable bidding war (sources say the average option for such a book ranges from his $5,000 to his $10,000), these creators You can have more control over your property and earn in other ways. From movies, such as being tapped to write a screenplay.
Despite the genre’s ups and downs, the last few years have shown that even stars who seemingly retired from tights can be lured into Lurex. Michael Keatonmade famous his superhero history for being nominated for an Oscar birdman, Coming out of Batman’s retirement For 3 Roles: Upcoming Plans flashcameo appearance aquaman and the lost kingdom (maybe cut) bat girl.
Keaton received $2 million bat girlthe $90 million film that was eventually shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery, was described by sources as a glorious cameo after participating in about a week’s worth of work.
For Keaton, wearing the Batsuit may be the closest the star can come to living like Bruce Wayne. increase.
This story first appeared in the October 19th issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.