Widely regarded as the best new thing to emerge from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts boasts an all-star cast, but who’s the richest with the biggest net worth? Read on for our definitive ranking, from Marvel Millionaires to silver-screen newcomers alike.
If there’s one production studio you can trust to bring out the big guns, it’s Marvel, from which we’ve received some of the biggest, most action-packed and star-studded movies of the 21st century. With Thunderbolts (or the New Avengers) debuting to widespread critical acclaim for its incredible cast of lovable misfits, stellar writing, and snappy editing, Marvel has proven it’s ready to return to its golden years.
For actors, a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn’t just open doors in the entertainment industry; of note, every Marvel cast member has seen significant gains to their net worth, and for good reason. As one of the most popular genres in film, superhero movies command a significant portion of the moviegoer demographic.
In full understanding of this, film makers — and the higher-ups of Marvel in particular — learned long ago that it pays off to invest in the right stars for longevity and continuity. Of note: Many actors sign binding multi-project contracts to portray their characters for years at a time. And let’s be real; can you imagine anyone but Robert Downey Jr. Stepping out of the iconic Iron Man suit? And, for that matter, can anyone ever live up to Hugh Jackman’s ripping physique, cultivated as part of his years-long tenure as The Wolverine?
No, we will not be taking questions from fans of the Cavillrine.
With so many Marvel actors becoming synonymous with their characters, it makes sense that many, if not most of them, have become Marvellous Millionaires over the years.
Marvellous millions
While both Sebastian Stan and Florence Pugh can count themselves among the top-billed actors for Thunderbolts, their net worths and Marvel pale in comparison to some of their longest-serving predecessors.
At the height of his popularity as Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. was reportedly taking home USD 75 million per movie. While this impressive figure is true of his salary for Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), Downey Jr. did not always command it. According to reports, his first Marvel paycheque for Iron Man (2008) was a mere USD 500,000; in the wake of its success, his salary jumped to USD 10 million for Iron Man 2 (2010). By The Avengers (2012), Downey Jr. had risen through the ranks to become one of the highest earners on set, commanding a salary of USD 50. His upcoming appearance in Avengers: Doomsday notwithstanding. Robert Downey Jr. has earned a reported USD 435 million from Marvel — a number that dwarfs his net worth of USD 270 million in 2025.
Yet another Marvel actor who rose to fame with the franchise is Chris Hemsworth, whose work as Thor has netted him significant financial gains over the years. While his reported paycheque of USD 15 million to 20 million for Avengers: Endgame pales in comparison to Downey Jr’s, he allegedly took home USD 76.4 million that year, a number bolstered by backend payments from the film’s incredible success.
And it doesn’t stop at Hemsworth; having built a legacy that remains cemented in superhero pop culture today, OG Avengers cast members now command both respect and bargaining power with the studio. From Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans to Anthony Mackie and Mark Ruffalo, Marvel’s stars — both former and present — have proven beyond the shadow of doubt that anything is possible, so long as their movies take off.
In the case of the Thunderbolts cast, the success of their standalone film may yet bear sweeter fruit in days to come. But while it remains to be seen just how far Marvel may take them, their current net worths are nothing to sneeze at. Here are the richest members of the Thunderbolts cast, ranked according to net worth.
Ranking the richest cast members of Thunderbolts, the latest success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Hannah John-Kamen, Ava Starr aka Ghost
Former Ant Man and The Wasp villain-turned-antihero, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ava Starr, or Ghost as she’s known in superhero circles, has quickly ascended in the ranks of Marvel to become a niche fan favourite character. The English actress reportedly received a paycheque of USD 400,000 to reprise her role as the phase-shifting Ghost, with acting credits that place her in popular television shows including Black Mirror and Game of Thrones.
John-Kamen has also appeared in lead roles in Killjoys (2015 – 2019), The Stranger (2020), and Brave New World (2020). On the silver screen, her acting credits include appearances in Tomb Raider (2015), Ready Player One (2018), and a stint as Jill Valentine in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021). While her net worth is not publicly available, reports estimate that it stands between USD 1 million to 3 million.
Geraldine Viswanathan, Mel
A newcomer to the MCU, Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan has garnered much recognition in her decade-long career. She has received acting credits in the Y2K bug (2017), Janet King (2017), Miracle Workers (2019 – 2023), BoJack Horseman (2019 – 2020); on the silver screen, she has likely been successful, appearing in Blockers (2018), Hala (2019), and Bad Education (2019) among others. For her portrayal of Mel in Thunderbolts, Viswanathan reportedly earned a tidy sum of USD 200,000 — as well as boasting rights for being a part of the MCU. Her current net worth is estimated to be between USD 1 million to 3 million.
Lewis Pullman, Bob aka The Sentry / Void
While he is yet another new face in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 32-year-old Lewis Pullman has already made a big impression on fans of the superhero genre. The son of Hollywood actor Bill Pullman, the American actor has appeared in multiple big-budget productions ranging from Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) to Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
On television, Pullman has appeared on Catch-22 (2019), Outer Range (2022 – 2024), and Lessons in Chemistry (2023) alongside Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson. For his portrayal of Bob, Pullman reportedly earned USD 1 million, a figure that is expected to grow with his popularity, and with his confirmed return to Marvel with Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Currently, Pullman’s net worth is estimated to be around USD 5 million.
David Harbour, Alexei Shostakov aka The Red Guardian
American actor David Harbour exploded onto the MCU in a dated crimson bodysuit with a larger-than-life personality and backstory that ripped all Black Widow fans’ hearts to shreds. His first MCU appearance came in 2021, when he starred alongside Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz in Black Widow. His quick-witted bantering and lovable demeanour quickly endeared him to fans of the genre, and his return to Thunderbolts was met with much adulation.
The 50-year-old actor, who is Dartmouth educated, has amassed numerous acting credits in his decades-long career. Like many Hollywood stalwarts, Harbour got his acting start in Law & Order, with guest roles in Law & Order (1999, 2008), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002), and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2004, 2009). He appeared in leading roles on The Newsroom (2012 – 2014), Rake (2014), Manhattan (2014), and State of Affairs (2014 – 2015). Among his most notable television roles, Harbour portrays Jim Hopper in Stranger Things (2016 – present). On the silver screen, he has appeared in Brokeback Mountain (2005), Revolutionary Road (2008), Quantum of Solace (2008), The Green Hornet (2011), and Suicide Squad (2016) among others. For his work on Thunderbolts, Harbour reportedly received a paycheque of USD 2 million, a figure that contributes significantly to his net worth of USD 6 million.
Sebastian Stan, Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier
One of the newest darlings of the MCU following the phasing out of the OG Avengers, Sebastian Stan has had an impressive career that has bolstered his net worth today. The Romanian-born actor has been involved in nine Marvel productions to date, including Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021), and Thunderbolts to name a few. Estimates place Stan’s earnings from Marvel in the USD 8 to 10 million range, with his Thunderbolts paycheque reportedly being a tidy USD 2 million.
Stan’s career also includes notable appearances across film and television. He notably won a Golden Globe for his work on A Different Man (2025); even more impressively, Stan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, as well as a BAFTA award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in The Apprentice (2024), a biopic in which he portrayed sitting US president Donald Trump. As a rising star at the height of his popularity, Stan boasts a reported net worth of USD 8 million to date.
Florence Pugh, Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh needs no introduction and her appearance on the MCU has been met with positive impressions to say the least. Portraying Yelena Belova, the cheeky, messy little sister of Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanov, Pugh’s performance in Black Widow (2021) and Hawkeye (2021) quickly endeared her to fans. Notably, critics and Marvel lovers alike lauded her incredibly believable portrayal of sibling dynamics alongside Johansson, and her journey in Thunderbolts has reflected growth, as well as the continuation of that heart wrenching storyline.
For her work on Thunderbolts, Pugh allegedly took home a paycheque of USD 2 million, and reports suggest she has earned an ‘eight figure amount’ for her work on Marvel thus far. But, while Pugh’s Marvel earnings are significant, her diverse range of acting projects has guaranteed her a path to greater success outside of the MCU. Having appeared on Midsommar (2019), Little Women (2019), Don’t Worry Darling (2022), and Oppenheimer (2023), Pugh has amassed an estimated net worth of USD 8 million, making her one of the wealthiest Thunderbolts cast members.
Wyatt Russell, John Walker aka U.S. Agent
The son of acting legends Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Wyatt Hawn Russell — half brother to Kate Hudson — counts himself among one of the wealthiest cast members of Thunderbolts with a net worth of USD 12 million to date. The 38-year-old, who began his career as an ice hockey player in both a semi-professional and professional capacity has amassed a significant filmography to date.
His notable performances include small roles in Law & Order: LA (2010), Arrested Development (2013), Black Mirror (2016); in 2021, he appeared alongside Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a role he reprised in What If (2024) and Thunderbolts. For his work on Thunderbolts, Russell reportedly earned USD 700k, a figure that is expected to rise as he returns to the MCU alongside his band of misfits for Avengers: Doomsday.
Olga Kurylenko, Antonia Dreykov aka Taskmaster
A relative newcomer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ukrainian-born French actress and model Olga Kurylenko first appeared as Antonia Dreykov aka taskmaster in Black Widow (2021). Her stoic presence and formidable combat skills made her a suitable antihero for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, and her return to Thunderbolts, albeit short-lived, was met with much hype and interest among fans.
Kurylenko’s career spans both European cinema and Hollywood blockbusters. She gained international recognition for her role as Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008) and has since appeared in Oblivion (2013) alongside Tom Cruise, The Water Diviner (2014), and The November Man (2014). Her television credits include appearances in Tyranny (2010) and Magic City (2012 – 2013).
For her role in Black Widow, Kurylenko reportedly earned a salary of USD 2.7 million; however, it is unknown what she made for her brief appearance in Thunderbolts. With a career that includes both modelling and acting, her net worth is estimated to be around USD 18 million, making her one of the wealthiest cast members in the ensemble today.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
The ‘Big Bad’ of Thunderbolts, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine brought a comedic charm with insidious undercurrents that reflected the deeper elements of her character, and fans loved it. Her first appearance in the MCU was in Black Widow (2021); she later appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), before reprising her role in Thunderbolts. With a career spanning over four decades, the American actress has flourished across film and television.
Best known for her iconic role as Elaine Benes in Seinfeld (1989 – 1998), Louis-Dreyfus is the proud recipient of multiple Emmy and Golden Globes awards. She continued her reign on television with The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006 – 2010) and the critically acclaimed Veep (2012 – 2019), where she portrayed the hilariously ambitious Selina Meyer.
For her role in Thunderbolts, Louis-Dreyfus reportedly earned a salary of USD 3 million. Owing to her long and storied career, syndication royalties, and family wealth, her net worth is estimated to be a staggering USD 250 million, making her the richest member of the Thunderbolts cast by a significant margin.
(Main and featured images: @florencepugh/Florence Pugh/Instagram)
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