Denzel got $40 mil to make American Gangster?

[daveymark]

overheard this the other day. is this true? Jesus tits if it is.

 

[MisterJackson]

Unverified rumors FTW!

 

[pulse8]

I doubt it. That's like double what anyone else has gotten previously for a film.

 

[KLin]

I think he's a good enough actor to warrant that kind of money.

 

[Skunkwourk]

whats the current highest paycheck an actor has received?

EDIT: Looks like 30? on wikipedia.

 

[anxi80]

When this project was canceled by Universal, actors Denzel Washington and Benicio Del Toro received their salaries nonetheless. A pay-or-play deal was stipulated in both of their contracts that Universal would pay Washington $20 million and Del Toro $5 million regardless of whether the film was made or not. When this project was green-lit a second time by Universal, Washington received another $20 million, ultimately pocketing $40 million on this motion picture.

i guess thats one way to explain the $100,000,000 budget...

 

[Lonyo]

Wikipedia says $100mn total budget, and you're not gonna pay Denzel $40mn and afford Russel Crowe + others + film for $60 I don't expect.
Smells like BS to me.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: KLin
I think he's a good enough actor to warrant that kind of money.

I don't think anyone is a good enough actor to warrant 1/10th of that.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: KLin
I think he's a good enough actor to warrant that kind of money.

I don't think anyone is a good enough actor to warrant 1/10th of that.

you should be a studio exec

 

[Deleted member 4644]

If total was 100 mil, I don't think he got 40, although I guess stranger things have happened. Gangster movies are not usually ultra expensive in terms of special effects.

 

[EvilYoda]

yeah, as anxi80 pointed out, most people don't know that they tried to make this movie once before (I believe Antoine Fuqua was slotted to be the director)...but if you look at Denzel's last 3 movie's, none have grossed more than $100M domestic, with 2 of them falling around $65M. He doesn't deserve a $20M paycheck anymore.

<--Will go to see the movie.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

this movie looks awesome

 

[Caecus Veritas]

i would think that their pay is scaled based on total revenue. he's probably guaranteed a certain base amount + alpha. $40m rumor is probably based on the guarantee + percentage of revenue...

 

[Jschmuck2]

He was paid 20 million two years ago when he signed on to the project then to be directed by Antoine Fuqua. The deal fell through but his contract stated he would get to keep the money. Now that they have a new director and more likely than not a completely retooled production - he's getting his fee again.

 

[Epic Fail]

Yeah, 20 mil is the real figure, but how could they come up with a contract that pay him regardless if they will shoot the movie??

 

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: yamadakun
Yeah, 20 mil is the real figure, but how could they come up with a contract that pay him regardless if they will shoot the movie??

It's probably the only way to guarantee to get Denzel to do the movie. Like him or not, he's box-office gold. This movie was probably written with him in mind to play the lead.

 

[NFS4]

Just saw the previews for this flick. I've GOT to see this movie :Q

 

[HN]

Washington and Crowe have come a long way since Virtuosity.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
yeah, as anxi80 pointed out, most people don't know that they tried to make this movie once before (I believe Antoine Fuqua was slotted to be the director)...but if you look at Denzel's last 3 movie's, none have grossed more than $100M domestic, with 2 of them falling around $65M. He doesn't deserve a $20M paycheck anymore.

<--Will go to see the movie.

On a worldwide gross basis he is a solid producer not to mention Universal is smelling possible academy awards with Denzel in the lead and Ridley Scott at the helm (he is LONG overdue).