Chapter 1566: Digging a Big Pit

Robert Downey Jr. was panicking now!

He had originally made up his mind to go all out to gain the trust of the wealthy Easterner in front of him, even if it meant acting for free.

But now, to his surprise, the other party had directly offered a salary of ten million US dollars, and for three films at that.

What the hell did this guy want?

Looking at Zhao Fusheng suspiciously, if it weren't for the fact that this man was indeed a major shareholder of Marvel known to Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr. would have thought he had run into a con artist.

Mr. Zhao, you... you're not joking, are you?

Susan asked Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

After all, although a salary of ten million US dollars was nothing in Hollywood, it still depended on who you were talking about.

If it were Tom Cruise, Zhao Fusheng might offer that price and the other party might not even agree.

But what was Robert Downey Jr.'s current status? Just a washed-up actor. Getting the lead role was already audacious, yet Zhao Fusheng was offering him a salary of ten million dollars per film for three films!

Could it be that rich people no longer needed to consider costs?

Do I look like someone who likes to joke?

Zhao Fusheng shrugged, losing patience to continue chatting with the two. He said directly, "If Mr. Downey thinks my proposal is acceptable, I'll have my assistant notify Marvel to sign the contract. If you disagree, then I'm sorry, but I think we might have to wait for another opportunity to cooperate."

The implication was simple: if Robert Downey Jr. didn't accept his terms, he wouldn't get the role of Tony Stark in Iron Man.

No problem, no problem!

Robert Downey Jr. nodded frantically. Are you kidding? He'd have to be crazy to refuse!

Zhao Fusheng nodded, called Wu Sijie, and had him call Kevin Feige.

When Kevin Feige received the call, he almost fainted.

Ten million, and for three films?

Kevin Feige was shocked. He hurriedly drove to Zhao Fusheng's residence.

Zhao, I think we need to talk alone.

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Kevin Feige said seriously.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, not finding it strange. Although the budget for Marvel's Iron Man was 140 million US dollars, offering ten million to an actor like Robert Downey Jr. was still incomprehensible to Kevin Feige.

After all, even at the peak of Robert Downey Jr.'s career, his salary had never exceeded ten million US dollars.

In fact, that was true.

In the original history, Iron Man was a box office and critical success, and the character of Iron Man won the hearts of millions of viewers. Robert Downey Jr. returned to the peak of his career and stormed back into Hollywood. His charisma earned him more role opportunities. In 2009's Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr.'s value soared, reaching a salary of nine million US dollars.

By the time of Iron Man 2 in 2010, Robert Downey Jr.'s salary had risen to ten million US dollars. From then on, his salary remained the highest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his pay was more than double that of many other actors.

In 2011, his salary for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows rose to fifteen million US dollars.

By 2012's The Avengers, Robert Downey Jr.'s salary had soared to fifty million US dollars. This rate of increase was truly enviable and hateful.

Consider that Scarlett Johansson received only six million US dollars for playing Black Widow in The Avengers, and Chris Evans also received six million US dollars for playing Captain America in The Avengers, and he even signed on for six films.

Of course, in reality, that fifty million US dollars didn't come solely from the salary for The Avengers. It was said to be due to Robert Downey Jr.'s amazing agent. In the mysterious contract signed between Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Studios, it stipulated that whenever Marvel films used Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man image, he would receive a share of the film's profits. Legend had it that this profit share was between five and seven percent.

Zhao Fusheng certainly wouldn't allow that, so he simply offered Robert Downey Jr. a per-film contract of ten million dollars each.

As for what happened later, that was Kevin Feige's concern.

To be honest, thinking about having to pay Robert Downey Jr. so much salary for future Avengers films made Zhao Fusheng's heart bleed.

Then we'll take our leave.

Susan and Robert Downey Jr. took the initiative to say goodbye. Zhao Fusheng didn't stop them and had Wu Sijie see them out.

Soon, only Zhao Fusheng and Kevin Feige remained in the room.

Zhao, what's going on?

Kevin Feige looked at Zhao Fusheng seriously.

He knew very well that with the depth of the man in front of him, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't offer such a high salary to Robert Downey Jr. for no reason.

In fact, Kevin Feige suspected that Zhao Fusheng might be doing this deliberately to show him.

What, Mr. Feige, do you have doubts about the success of Iron Man?

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Kevin Feige.

Kevin Feige smiled bitterly. With a film budget of 140 million US dollars, how could he answer when Zhao Fusheng asked if he was confident in its success?

Mr. Feige, I know you have your own ideas and plans for Marvel's development, but I am, after all, Marvel's largest investor now.

Zhao Fusheng gave Kevin Feige a deep look and said calmly, "I hope that whatever decision you make, you will discuss it with me in advance. Is that okay?"

Kevin Feige's expression changed slightly, and his previously relaxed demeanor also tightened. He could tell that Zhao Fusheng was expressing dissatisfaction with him.

Zhao, both Jon and I believe that Robert is the most suitable actor for Tony Stark.

After a long silence, Kevin Feige finally told Zhao Fusheng the truth.

Mr. Favreau thinks so too?

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and asked.

Yes, he personally interviewed Mr. Downey.

In fact, if Zhao Fusheng hadn't suddenly offered Robert Downey Jr. such a high salary, he wouldn't have planned to tell Zhao Fusheng about this.

It seems we both have high hopes for Mr. Downey.

Zhao Fusheng said with a smile.

He wasn't surprised by this result. After all, in the original history, without his intervention, Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau had ultimately chosen Robert Downey Jr. to play Tony Stark.

And they had successfully achieved their goal. Marvel had embarked on the road to revival through Iron Man and eventually swept the globe.

So you offered him a salary of ten million?

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yes, I have high hopes for him. I think he might bring us a big surprise."

But there's no need to go that far.

Kevin Feige shook his head helplessly: "If you have high hopes for him, we could just sign him for more films."

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng was startled, then looked at Kevin Feige: "What do you mean?"

Literally.

Kevin Feige said to Zhao Fusheng: "How about this? I'll send someone to negotiate with him. What do you think?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "That would be best. But I suggest we sign him for as many films as possible. After all, I believe you have your own ideas about Marvel's future film plans, don't you?"

Kevin Feige nodded, but his mind was greatly shaken.

He had never mentioned his ideas about the Marvel Cinematic Universe to anyone before, yet Zhao Fusheng had seen through him. What kind of person was this guy?

Zhao Fusheng naturally had no interest in figuring out what Kevin Feige was thinking. His idea was to sign Robert Downey Jr. at a reasonable price.

As for the specific number, Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Kevin Feige: "If possible, the maximum salary should not exceed twenty million US dollars, but it shouldn't be too low either. It wouldn't be good if he didn't want to play the role and didn't cooperate with us."

Kevin Feige blinked, feeling he was beginning to understand Zhao Fusheng's meaning.

Watching Kevin Feige leave, Zhao Fusheng felt something was off.

...

...

Three days later, Zhao Fusheng finally found out what was off.

Looking at the contract in front of him, Zhao Fusheng looked helpless.

Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. had officially signed a contract for six films, each with a salary of five million US dollars.

Six films.

Zhao Fusheng tilted his head and thought, recalling the Marvel movies he had seen, and calculated how long a salary of five million per film would allow Robert Downey Jr. to keep filming.

Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

After recalling, Zhao Fusheng showed a helpless bitter smile.

So it seemed that when it came time to film later, Marvel might have to bleed a lot.

Chairman, you...

Seeing Zhao Fusheng staring at the contract without speaking, Wu Sijie cautiously asked: "Should I notify Mr. Kevin Feige to come and meet with you?"

In his understanding, since Zhao Fusheng was dissatisfied with the contract signed between Marvel and Robert Downey Jr., he naturally needed to meet with Kevin Feige.

After all, as the CEO of Marvel Entertainment, Kevin Feige was the direct executor of this matter.

Since things hadn't turned out to the boss's satisfaction, he should be held responsible!

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "No need. I have nothing to say."

One shouldn't be too greedy. Zhao Fusheng knew this well. If he squeezed Robert Downey Jr. too hard, he would become the next Captain America.

After all, the reason Chris Evans refused to continue playing Captain America was that he felt his salary was too low.

In short, interests were what these stars considered.

As for the fans' feelings, ha, who cared?