Marvel’s The Avengers became just the 12th movie in history to join the $1 billion club after another huge weekend at the box office, and I like to think that it was my $8.50 matinee that pushed Nick Fury and Co. over the top. And estimates suggest that by the end of the upcoming weekend, Avengers could be the 4th highest grossing movie of all-time, behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Pt. 2, Titanic and Avatar. Then Joss Whedon will finally be able to afford that giant hat.
But for every dollar that this film earns, The Avengers’ resident billionaire, Tony Stark, gets a little wealthier. After the first Iron Man film’s success, Robert Downey, Jr. and his team of super financial experts worked a new deal with Marvel that has him pulling an estimated $50 million for The Avengers. At that point, I assume you just actually become Iron Man.
So are the other actors breaking the bank as well? Sure, but it’s a much, much smaller bank.
As Marvel launched other hero pics that would lead up to Avengers, the studio struck hard bargains. Two sources say Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner andMark Ruffalo all signed on for small upfront fees and ultimately will make about $2 million to $3 million on Avengers with bonuses. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson, who signed deals to pop up in several Marvel movies, are said to be making about twice that for Avengers with bonuses. (Via the Hollywood Reporter)
You’ve probably already read Vince’s favorable review of The Avengers (unless you skimmed it and just chose to think he hated it) but I actually wanted to offer my comic book enthusiast thoughts on the film after the jump (mild spoiler possibly).
I’ve watched this a thousand times now. |
