Marvel moneymakers
For almost two decades, the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and television shows have defined popular culture and entertainment. They have redefined spectacle, made superheroes household names, and elevated the careers of virtually every actor involved. And they’ve made some people very, very wealthy. Here’s a look at the top earners of the MCU.
Paul Rudd
Role: Scott Lang/Ant-Man II
Major Appearances: Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Avengers: Endgame, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quauntumania
Approximate Net Worth: US$70 million
Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Size Doesn’t Matter
Considering Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man is one of the tiniest characters in the MCU, the role has helped the actor accumulate a pretty large fortune. Offered a “modest” $300,000 for the first Ant-Man film, Rudd ended up garnering US$1.5 million for the role. His earnings skyrocketed to US$8 million for Avengers: Endgame, the capstone of the MCU's “Infinity Saga.”
Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Before Ant-Man
Rudd’s early roles include an extended run on the famous sitcom Friends and a starring role in the seminal 90s comedy Clueless. Before taking on the role of Scott Lang and finding international stardom, he was known for the Anchorman films and the Judd Apatow films The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jeremy Renner
Role: Clint Barton/Hawkeye
Major Appearances: Thor, Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Endgame, Hawkeye
Approximate Net Worth: US$80 million
On Target
With a second series of the Disney+ series Hawkeye rumored to be in production, we likely haven’t seen the last of Jeremy Renner’s gruff-but-lovable superhero archer. After his cameo appearance in the first Thor film, Hawkeye became a founding member of the Avengers, the role reportedly bringing Renner around US$50 million over the past decade. Avengers: Endgame netted the actor US$15 million, the highest paycheque in his career.
Before Hawkeye
Prior to his superheroic stardom, Renner was a critically-acclaimed actor, notably playing serial killer Jeffery Dahmer in the biopic Dahmer. Renner’s action movie career kicked off with roles in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Bourne Legacy. He is also a successful entrepreneur outside of acting, as both a luxury house flipper and co-owner of The Combine production company.
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chris Evans
Role: Steve Rogers/Captain America
Major Appearances: Captain America: The First Avenger, Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame
Approximate Net Worth: US$80 million
He Could Do This All Day
Chris Evans’s shield-weilding hero is one of the most recognizable heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evans apparently thought about turning down the role, one that initially paid him US$300,000 in the first Captain America film, a payday that became a staggering US$15 million for his final (so far) portrayal in Endgame.
Marvel, The Avengers (2012 film)
Before Captain America
Evans got his start with some minor television and teen movie roles, including Not Another Teen Movie. Evans was no stranger to superhero roles prior to playing the first avenger. He played the iconic Human Torch in Fantastic Four and its sequel, and a superpowered antagonist in the graphic novel-inspired Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bradley Cooper
Role: Rocket Racoon/89P13
Major Appearances: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Approximate Net Worth: US$100 million
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
“Don’t call me a raccoon!”
Known to many from his starring role in the Hangover trilogy of films, Bradley Cooper gained MCU stardom without ever actually appearing on screen! Cooper’s role as the voice of Rocket, weapon’s expert and sometime leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, netted him the princely sum of US$6 million for the part in Avengers: Endgame. The curmudgeonly character has become a beloved part of the cosmic side of the MCU.
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Before Rocket
One of Cooper’s earliest roles was the television spy thriller Alias, playing Will Tippin opposite Jennifer Garner’s Sydney Bristow. His starring turn in The Hangover led to numerous opportunities, including the Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook. Furthering his superhero credibility, Cooper was also a producer on the acclaimed film Joker.
David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chris Hemsworth
Role: Thor Odinson
Major Appearances: Thor, Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder
Approximate Net Worth: US$130 million
Putting The Hammer Down
Although an experienced actor, Chris Hemsworth’s breakout role was that of Thor in the first film of the series, for which he was paid US$150,000. After the phenomenal success of both the Thor franchise and the Avengers series, Hemsworth’s paycheque sky-rocketed to US$30 million for the acclaimed Thor: Ragnarok. He made a comparable sum for his appearances in the two Avengers films that capped the Infinity Saga.
Before Thor
Hemsworth got his start on Australian television. He played King Arthur in fantasy series Guinevere Jones, and was a long-time cast member of the soap opera Home and Away. Prior to being cast as the God of Thunder, Hemsworth played the father of James T. Kirk in the J.J. Abrams reimagining of Star Trek.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Scarlett Johansson
Role: Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow
Major Appearances: Iron Man 2, Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow
Approximate Net Worth: US$165 million
Black in her Ledger
From US$400,000 for her first appearance in Iron Man 2 to $US20 million for her final appearance in Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson has become one of the most recognizable and iconic faces of Marvel’s Avengers. Her troubled assassin is one of the few prominent female roles in the MCU. The exposure this has brought Johansson has gained her many endorsement deals.
Before Black Widow
Johansson has been acting since the age of nine, and one of her earliest acclaimed roles was the graphic novel inspired Ghost World. The critical hit Lost in Translation and the dramatic Girl with a Pearl Earring brought her recognition that eventually led to her superheroic turn in the second film of the Iron Man trilogy.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gwyneth Paltrow
Role: Pepper Potts
Major Appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Avengers, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame
Approximate Net Worth: US$200 million
Power Behind the Throne
Although Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts only takes on a superheroic role in her last appearance as the character, she has been an integral part of the MCU since it earliest days. As Tony Stark’s personal assistant-turned-love interest, Paltrow was paid US2.5 million for her role in Iron Man 2, shepherding Downey’s Tony Stark into becoming the beloved hero of the Iron Man and Avengers franchises.
Before Pepper Potts
Paltrow had a very successful acting career prior to taking the role of Pepper Potts in the MCU. Known for early roles in the Robin Williams film Hook and the Brad Pitt/Morgan Freeman thriller Seven, she also turned in starring roles in Shakespeare in Love and The Royal Tenenbaums. Paltrow is also known for her controversial lifestyle company Goop.
Andrea Raffin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Vin Diesel
Role: Groot
Major Appearances: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, I Am Groot, Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Approximate Net Worth: US$225 million
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
He Is Groot
Like fellow Guardians cast member Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel’s MCU stardom did not involve him spending any actual time onscreen. Further, his lines primarily consisted of the words “I”, “Am”, and “Groot”. Diesel’s expert ability to convey emotion and depth with these three little words earned him a whopping total of US$54 million over the course of the Guardians and Avengers franchises.
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Before Groot
Diesel was already a well-known actor before his voice work in the MCU. Early roles include war drama Saving Private Ryan and sci-fi thriller Pitch Black. He is perhaps best known for hte role of Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious series. Diesel also voiced the title character in the beloved children’s film The Iron Giant.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Samuel L. Jackson
Role: Nick Fury
Major Appearances: Iron Man 2, Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Secret Invasion, The Marvels
Approximate Net Worth: US$250 million
Initiating the Avengers
Although primarily playing a background role throughout the first decade of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Samuel Jackson’s Nick Fury was an instrumental character in bringing together the Avengers. Jackson is reported to make between US$4 - 6 million for each Nick Fury appearance, no matter how small. The super-spy continues to be a major shadow player in the evolution of the MCU.
Before Nick Fury
Jackson was already a household name as an actor even before donning the iconic eye patch. Roles in Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, and Die Hard with a Vengeance gave him star status, and opened the door numerous popular and critically-acclaimed roles. Jackson is also an accomplished stage actor, and gained some notoriety for narrating the comedic children’s book Go The F*ck to Sleep.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Edward Norton
Role: Bruce Banner/The Hulk
Major Appearance: The Incredible Hulk
Approximate Net Worth: US$30 million
Marvel, The Incredible Hulk (2008)
You Wouldn’t Like Him When He’s Angry
Known in Hollywood circles as being a bit difficult to work with, Edward Norton’s dedication to his craft comes through in his one MCU outing, The Incredible Hulk. There’s not much information about how much Norton was paid for the first (and, to date, only) Hulk film, but given his star power even before Incredible Hulk, it was likely quite a sum.
Marvel, The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Before The Hulk
Norton is widely-considered to be one of the great actors of his generation. His career-defining role in Fight Club brought him international attention. He followed up this role with carefully-chosen films, including Silence of the Lambs prequel Red Dragon, and the cult black comedy Death to Smoochy. A savvy investor, Norton was also an early supporter of ride share giant Uber.
David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Robert Downey Jr.
Role: Tony Stark/Iron Man
Major Appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame
Approximate Net Worth: US$300 million
“I. Am. Iron Man.”
Those four words inaugurated what we now know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and heralded a triumphant return to screens of Brat Pack bad boy Robert Downey Jr. Beginning with a “modest” US$500,000 for the first Iron Man film, Downey garnered an amazing US$75 million each(!!) for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Before Iron Man
Downey Jr. was well-known prior to his MCU success for both his acclaimed acting roles and his off-screen difficulties. Early roles include 80s hits Weird Science and Less Than Zero. He was nominated for an Academy Award for the title role in biographical picture Chaplin, for which he won Best Actor at the BAFTA.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Michael Douglas
Role: Hank Pym/Ant-Man I
Major Appearances: Ant-Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Avengers: Endgame, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Approximate Net Worth: US$350 million
The Man Who Talks to Ants
Though primarily a support player in the Ant-Man series, Michael Douglas’s Hank Pym is revealed to be one of the original superheroes of the MCU. This makes sense as, in the comics, Pym’s Ant-Man and his partner the Wasp were founding members of the Avengers. A hugely popular actor, Douglas has kept his MCU paycheques a secret, though he claims the role game him much more credibility in his childrens’ eyes.
Before Hank Pym
Douglas is one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood, with a career spanning six decades. Some of his biggest roles include his Academy Award-winning turn as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, a Golden Globe-nominated role in The American President, and a critically-acclaimed role in the film Wonder Boys.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
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