10 Behind-The-Scenes Issues That Could End The MCU
5. Unsustainable Contracts
Marvel Studios actor contracts are infamous in Hollywood. First, actors are contracted for a half-dozen (or more) movies, which goes far beyond sequel clauses in traditional contracts. Second, because everything regarding the MCU is treated so secretly actors are required to sign these contracts despite being in the dark about the direction of their characters. Finally, Marvel Studios does not offer large salaries to actors. In fact, Robert Downey Jr. - who had a larger contract because the original Iron Man predated the MCU - is rumoured to have demanded pay raises for his fellow Avengers for Avengers: Age of Ultron, which is one reason why the budget for the Avengers sequel ballooned to $60 million more than what was spent on the original.
On one hand, actors see being in MCU movies as an advantage because it allows them to work steadily, increases their profiles, and opens them up to other revenue streams like merchandising. However, some actors have already expressed dissatisfaction with the way Marvel Studios does business. Natalie Portman allegedly tried to get out of doing Thor: The Dark World because she disliked the creative direction, and Joaquin Phoenix reportedly passed on playing Doctor Strange because of concerns that the multi-film commitment would interfere with his other projects.
While Marvel Studios contracts have been beneficial for most actors, there are obvious issues actors have with signing on for so many films. With stars like Downey Jr., Portman, and Phoenix already expressing frustration with the way Marvel Studios does business, these issues could bring down the studios contract model and make future Avengers films financially impossible.