In comparison to Downey’s deal, the rest of the cast were reportedly paid $200K for their roles in the $1.1 billion blockbuster. Now that Marvel’s looking to execute their sequel options, things are getting interesting. The cast is looking for $5 million upfront and a bigger piece of the back-end while Marvel is allegedly threatening to recast — a tactic they’ve proven works pretty well in the past. The only card the cast has to play is a wild one; Downey himself.

With his contract obligations under his belt, Marvel will have to sweeten the pot if they want their star back for future sequels. But to Marvel’s chagrin, the Avengers are assembling with Downey as the leader. Deadline reports that the actor won’t sign for The Avengers 2 unless his cast mates are fairly compensated. “He’s the only guy with real power in this situation. And balls of steel, too. He’s already sent a message that he’s not going to work for a place where they treat his colleagues like shit,” says a rep who only cares about their percentage.

Personally, I feel like the real talent with Marvel films is behind the camera, and the money should be put on the screen. It doesn’t matter which actor dons the mask. 40% – 60% of these movies are all CGI anyway. As long as Marvel turns out quality films with awesome special effects, the talent will remain irrelevant. The Hulk proved that.

A source confirms to EW that the twin characters Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be joining The Avengers 2, which Whedon hinted at recently when he said he was writing a brother-sister duo into the movie. Feige maintains a poker face on that scoop, saying only: “I’m not confirming or denying. The draft could change six months from now.”

The draft could change, of course, but it’s an intriguing update. What exactly does Whedon have in store for The Avengers 2? We’re going to have to sit through four or five post-credit sequences to find out.

In fact, Emily Blunt was initially cast as Black Widow back in 2010 but she was forced to drop out in favor of looking like a stupid dick in the disastrous flop Gulliver’s Travels. If the Daily Mail is to be believed, Blunt may still have her chance to join the Marvel universe. According to the tabloid, both Blunt and Luther star Ruth Wilson are up for the role of Ms. Marvel in Avengers 2: Shawarma Nights.

Between Johansson striking it rich with her sloppy-seconds and Chris Evans nabbing Captain America over Blunt’s husband, John Krasinski, it’s going to be a weird set. If this casting happens, I demand a fight between Black Widow and Ms. Marvel. It’s the only way to relieve the awkward on-set tension. And if they fight in nightgowns, all the better.

It also seems that his relationship with Marvel has blossomed from a little over-the-shirt beneath the bleachers to full-on going steady. Whedon is also developing a live-action television show featuring Marvel characters. There’s no word on what that show will be but, one way or the other, this is good news for Eliza Dushku. (EW)