While the Avengers movies have become known for their highly ensemble A-list cast, there still remain some stars who show little interest in being a part of the films.
Respected Australian actor Hugo Weaving recently revealed to TimeOut London why he didn’t return as the Red Skull in Avengers: Endgame after his last appearance as the character in Captain America: The First Avenger. While noting he “loved” playing Red Skull, Weaving explained that he failure to return was a result of poor contract negotiation. Stating that “they’d pushed back on the contracts that we agreed on and so the money they offered me for “The Avengers” was much less than I got for the very first one, and this was for two films,” noting the producers (presumably the Russo brothers)” promise[d] when we first signed the contracts was that the money would grow each time.”
Ultimately, Weaving found the ordeal too complicated, explaining he “found negotiating with them through my agent impossible,” and “didn’t really wanna do it that much. But I would have done it.”
Joe and Anthony Russo previously stated back in a November 2018 Q&A that they had asked Weaving to return for the later Avengers films, but did not elaborate any further. Looks like fans have their answer now.