Exclusive: Gwyneth Paltrow defends Downey Jr.’s $50 million Avengers fee

Gwyneth Paltrow thinks Robert Downey Jr. is worth every penny of his jaw-dropping $50 million ‘Avengers’ salary for ‘Avengers Assemble’.

Speaking to Yahoo! Movies UK, the Pepper Potts star said: “I think [his salary] is really just a study in economics. Robert’s movies have made at least half a billion dollars in the last few years.”

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“If it’s a business and he’s at the centre of it, then he probably deserves a big percentage.”

The math makes sense: ‘The Avengers’ made more than $1.5 billion (£971 million).

Watch our interview with Gwyneth above.

Downey Jr. revealed his colossal ‘Avengers Assemble’ payday in an interview with QG. “I'm what's known as 'a strategic cost,’” he said.

Paltrow also described some of Downey Jr.’s more bizarre on-set habits which include witch doctors, vitamins and crystals. “I love all his quirks and his crystals,” she said. “He’s always laying crystals around. He’s quite mad you know. Testing the vibes and with all his witch doctors and taking vitamins and stuff. It’s fun to be around.

“He doesn’t really annoy me. He definitely has a very specific personality. He’s very creative. He’s always sort of spewing all kinds of ideas, and jokes and thoughts. Having espressos and nicotine gum. His energy is very… up.”

Paltrow said she kept working on ‘Iron Man’ because her character had evolved from the first film and would be glad to return for a fourth (though that doesn’t seem likely).

“If it ends then it was great fun and I’m so happy I was a part of it,” she said, “and if they make another one, I’ll be there. For about 5p… I don’t get Robert’s pay”.

‘Iron Man 3’ is out now in the UK.