Are movie stars getting paid too much? How else are they going to afford another diamond studded swimming pool and solid gold Humvee’s? (Thanks Al)
Seems that movie stars might start to see a pay cut if current trends indicate Hollywood’s change in attitude.
If an actor balks at the deal, the studios say they will move to another choice immediately. “They’re not fucking around,” says the talent representative. “They know exactly who that next person is. Sometimes they’ll tell you.”
But salaries are being slashed now in Hollywood and even bigger stars are not immune. “Why would anybody pay Julia Roberts $20 million to do Duplicity?” says one producer. “That won’t happen again.” Indeed, this source says Sony Pictures is ponying up $15 million for Roberts to do Eat, Pray, Love and probably already regrets having committed to pay that much.
With the economic downturn the studios are regrouping. They have canceled movies they felt were too borderline risk, and are taking a much more direct approach to negotiating salaries for actors. So some might lose the gig because they are asking too much.
I disagree. I think that Hollywood is just going to keep paying extraordinary amounts for actors, and there is no end in sight. I am sure that there are a lot of deals that go sour because they got too greedy without us even hearing about them. But if they willingly give them the money its because they figure there is a return to be had.
We heard that Rourke was offered a “lowball” $250,000 but that’s about 10 times what the average person above the poverty line makes in a year, so I don’t feel bad for the guy. That his agent supposedly negotiated up to over $400k is a really good job, and even better for Rourke’s pocket even after deductions. Waa waa. Take your money and enjoy it. Rourke isn’t the draw of the movie, but he helps add star power. Same with Scarlett. If they can get them to agree on a lower price, then the bean counters are happy.
But $20million for Julia Roberts? Don’t get me wrong, the lady is a very talented individual and a boxoffice draw for certain, but should they really have to fork out $20m to get her to be in a movie? Would Duplicity be any less of a film if they had someone else in the role? Quality actors name their price and the studios still line up.
A lot of people talk about “salary caps” for movie stars, like sports teams do. The flaw in that logic is that sports teams have the cap so they can’t BUY a better team. Makes everything more competitive and entertaining. If one team always won, people would lose interest. Would lose its edge. That’s not what happens in Hollywood.
I am not saying these stars should be paid an hourly wage and slug it out like everyone else. I understand their role in the film is critical and so much hinges on their performance. Pay them their due. Sometimes I think they get more than their due but its paid willingly.
And Hollywood has no trouble paying. The big studios are more than happy to back up the money truck to a star who they think is going to thicken THEIR wallets too. If putting a $20m actress in Duplcity changes the boxoffice from a $50m take to a $150m, then its invested wisely.
Are they worth that much money? Not always. In some cases it pays off. And the accomplished personalities know this and so do their agents.
The machine is part to blame. Its just easier to line up the agents and budget yourself a star that fits what you are trying to do.
Its all about returns.
