As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of blockbuster movies and their behind-the-scenes drama, I find it fascinating to unravel the intricate web of Hollywood finance. The latest tussle between George Clooney and the NY Times over his reported $35 million salary for Wolfs has certainly piqued my interest.
It’s no secret that well-known Hollywood actors earn substantial amounts of money. This is even more evident given the significant deal Robert Downey Jr. allegedly secured for rejoining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that not all leading stars receive such enormous paychecks per film as George Clooney and Brad Pitt were said to have garnered for their Apple TV+ production titled “Wolfs“.
An article appearing in the New York Times suggested that Brad Pitt and George Clooney received a $35 million salary each to act together in an upcoming film set for release in 2024. However, Clooney has recently refuted these claims, stating that the report is false.
What George Clooney Says About His Wolfs Salary
At the Venice Film Festival (as reported by THR), during the premiere of “Wolfs”, George Clooney directly addressed the reported salaries, a topic seldom discussed when film finances are under discussion. Although he didn’t provide exact figures, Clooney emphasized that what he and Brad Pitt earned was substantially lower than what had been publicized. He clarified…
[It was] an interesting article and whatever her source was for our salary, it is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported. And I am only saying that because I think it’s bad for our industry if that’s what people think is the standard bearer for salaries.
George Clooney shared that he and Brad Pitt received less than initially contracted for the movie “Wolfs,” as they chose to donate part of their earnings. The film wasn’t projected to earn much during its intended theatrical release due to lower-than-anticipated box office returns, and secondary sales on Video On Demand (VOD) and streaming platforms wouldn’t have compensated for this loss. Since something needed to be adjusted, they decided it would be their salaries that were reduced.
Where George Clooney And Brad Pitt’s Money Usually Comes From
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but echo George Clooney’s sentiments about the $35 million salary figure he mentioned. Frankly, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. It seems that among the elite group of A-list actors, there’s a silent competition regarding the earnings from film roles. I can easily imagine other big stars looking at Clooney and Pitt’s reported salaries and thinking, “If they’re making $35 million per film, then so should I – or even more!”
It’s not unusual for some actors to earn up to $20 million per film, but more and more are opting to take a smaller initial payment and instead receive a percentage of a movie’s earnings from the box office. This approach helps films manage their budget by saving millions at the outset, while still allowing for large payouts if the film becomes successful. For instance, Tom Cruise is said to have earned around $100 million on Top Gun: Maverick, a sum that includes earnings from the film’s box office take of over $1 billion worldwide. Most of his income, however, was not his initial salary.
It’s understandable that since Wolfs didn’t secure a major theatrical premiere, such an arrangement wouldn’t materialize. It might not be unexpected if Clooney and Pitt’s paychecks increased instead of decreased under these circumstances. When films initially slated for cinema screenings ended up streaming due to the pandemic, studios allegedly needed to renegotiate contracts with actors who anticipated receiving deferred payments. Scarlett Johansson is well-known for her lawsuit over this very topic.
As a die-hard fan, it’s clear to me that neither Pitt nor Clooney will be running out of money anytime soon, thanks to their success with “Wolves.” In fact, the announcement that “Wolves” wouldn’t hit the big screen was followed by news about a “Wolves” sequel already being in production. It seems they have plenty of projects lined up!
It’s plausible that this was one interconnected, intricate financial arrangement to ensure everyone benefited financially. If the initial film gains success, with the current positive reviews for Clooney and Pitt in their new project, a sequel might be screened in cinemas. This could potentially lead to additional earnings for both actors, but a $35 million paycheck seems quite high.
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2024-09-02 18:37