I doubt this news will shock anyone, but it’s always interesting when Hollywood people fight about money in public. The Hollywood Reporter have some information that Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are – gasp! – asking for a significant pay raise to do the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, which will be Fifty Shades Darker. Keep in mind that Universal still hasn’t officially greenlit the sequel, perhaps because E.L. James is a pill and perhaps now because Jamie and Dakota want what can only be described as “hazard pay” to work with E.L. James again. THR has all the numbers:
With Fifty Shades of Grey looking to top out at more than $550 million worldwide, it should come as no surprise that stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will be seeking a big payday for a second outing in the red room of pain. Sources say the pair received $250,000 each (plus tiered box-office bonuses) to star in Universal’s erotic hit based on the first of EL James’ trilogy of novels, and both signed three-picture deals. But like most stars of franchise films, they will try to renegotiate for seven-figure raises for Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. Neither Johnson, 25, nor Dornan, 32, received any backend compensation on the first film, according to sources.
Though the two leads probably are six months away from any renegotiations, insiders say they’ll take a page from the Twilight stars and Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games deal as a jumping-off point (Lawrence landed a $10 million payday for Catching Fire — a significant bump from her $500,000 Hunger Games salary).
“It was a very basic franchise starter deal,” says an insider of the terms of Johnson’s and Dornan’s contracts. “Look at Twilight and Hunger Games, and that’s where it is heading.”
…The last thing Universal chair Donna Langley wants is two unhappy stars — or even one willing to ask out of his or her contract. The studio already must find a new director (Sam Taylor-Johnson is not expected to return after clashing with James) and writer (original scribe Kelly Marcel will not return). Because there is no script or director yet, Johnson and Dornan have been told to plan on an early 2016 shoot for a 2017 release, possibly around Valentine’s Day again.
There are more quotes in there from one of the producers, basically saying that he’s worried about “skyrocketing costs” for the sequel. Eh. The first film was made for $40 million (and you better believe Sam Taylor Johnson brought it in on-budget), and the film has already made $550 million, and that’s before DVD sales. Jamie and Dakota are going to get their raises. They might not get a bump up to $10 million each, but I bet they’ll be able to get a sizable raise.
Meanwhile, some of you have mentioned what Kim Cattrall recently said about Jamie. She told The Independent: “Maybe it’s my age, but he doesn’t look like a man to me. He looks like a young boy. I like men to look like men.” Kim then name-checked Brendan Gleeson as a guy she finds attractive. While I think Jamie’s hotness is very beard-dependent (he’s only really sexy with the beard and he’s utterly boring without it), I also think it IS Kim’s age. I find myself looking at some of the younger guys that are supposed to be “hot” these days and they just look like babies to me. I’m not even THAT old! But I look at those One Direction guys or those baby-faced Glee guys and I just feel nothing. The other day, I got lost in Tom Hiddleston’s glorious eye crinkles too. So maybe it is just my age. Sigh…name one guy in their early to mid-20s who has some kind of dirty-hot vibe that I might enjoy. Can you? Because I can’t think of anyone. (Oh I just thought of one: Liam Hemsworth. But he’s beard-dependent too!)
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I say Chris Pine. Chris Pine would have been a fine Christian Grey.
David Gandy too but maybe he’s too old for the role. He looks older than his actual age too.
David Gandy would be perfect! He is gorgeous, and intense – wow. He’s closer to what I imagined about Christian Grey than any other actor I can think of. Maybe a little old – but I’m not sure that matters and it could work. Maybe he could bring Dakota out of her stupor.
Jamie Dornan is too boyish and his eyes look timid – he always looks like he is afraid. I agree with Kim Catrall. Poor hesitant Jamie just can’t project Christian Grey’s demand for sexual dominance and control.
Totally agree that he always looks afraid, and knowing that he hated the material and learning about the BDSM lifestyle, FSOG is not a movie I’ll ever watch.
I can’t agree that he looks better with the beard, as stated. I think his particular beard looks awful.
I’m going to say something really mean but….the size of his head makes me uncomfortable, I haven’t been able to enjoy one of his movies because of this, it’s like I can’t stop watching that instead of his acting, so NO, I wouldn’t want Chris Pine in this role.
OMG….Chris Pine’s head freaks me out. Ditto Sean Penn, Christian Slater and Matt Smith.
I once went to a play starring Christian Slater and all I couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
Chris Pine, imo, is the male equivalent of two-face. He looks attractive in some photos and at some angles, but he looks creepy and off-putting in others. And it is definitely not just his head, but his features can look a little inhuman at times too.
I hope they will be well better paid and I want Dakota Johnson is better paid than Dorman.
( Johnson is a pleasure to watch in the movie contrary to Jamie Dorman)
Srsly. If I was Dakota I’d say either we get the same or I’m out.
This is actually interesting. Usually a raise like this is standard (unless you’re Marvel) and we only hear about it after it happens. The fact that someone leaked it before it happened (also happened with the Avengers) tells me the studio doesn’t want to give them the raise. Very interesting. They’ll get some increase but likely not the one they want. Expect recasting rumours soon as the studio counters (remember the Jake Gyllenhaal as Spider-Man rumours when Toby Maguire was “injured”?).
Do you know that Tobey Maguire has been paid ( $40 millions)for Spider-Man 4 whereas the movie never was made? I’m pretty sure it’s the reason why he works so few
The film made THAT much money and needs both to retutn for the sequel, darn right they should get big raises.
Totally agree. Find other places to keep the budget tight (ahem, if you don’t have to fight with EL James so much I’m sure that would save everyone time and $$) but you have to pay your stars. I don’t think they will be making Hunger Games level money, but low 7 figures sounds reasonable. Dornan and Johnson should be making the same amount as well.
I also read somewhere that none of the actors got back end points based on the success of the movie. Seems like a shame, I’m sure they will fight for that this time around.
I would be asking for a pay raise too. It’s the same way with all franchises.
It bugs me how greedy the Studio gets, when there is a huge money maker film. They never ever want to share that back end money. And get all tight fist with having to pay out the tiered box-office bonuses.
If I was one of the leads… I would rather take less money up front. And take a percentage, of the back end profits. Especially when the film is going to make money for the next decade. Way after it leaves the theater. Between DVD, VOD, premiere cable run and such. I want a piece of those continue profits. Not one little up front check and no rights to any of the on going profits.
No matter how a film is packaged, there is no guarantee that it is going to make money. The studio has to put up all the costs and may never recoup that money.
The only actors who receive back end are those with a long term proven record that show their presence in the film is a 100% guarantee that studio will recoup it’s money.
There are only a handful of actors who do that.
How old is Charlie Hunan (sp?)
Let’s see…..20s sexy male stars (or have potential)
-Bill Scarsgard (baby Viking yea!)
-Ben Hardy (plays Peter Beale on TV show EastEnders)
-Neville Longbottom (i’m still shocked that Neville grew up to be such a hunk!!)
-Drako Malfoy (I never remember his name and I can’t be bothered to google)
-Robert Pattinson (yes, he is over-exposed, but he is rather sexy)
-Nick Hoult (once he fills out)
omg Tom Felton!!! Yessssssssssss. I’ve always loved Draco Malfoy/Tom. I met him once when I was like, 16 – such a nice person.
He’s not attractive enough to play Grey. I’m not saying he’s NOT attractive, but Grey is basically described as a god among men.
THe only problem is that none of the actors in the 20’s seemed to have any interest in the role. Probably knowing that their fan base of similar age had no interest in the movie.
Not casting for the role. I’m taking up CB’s challenge to name male actors in their 20s who are or have potential to be sexy.
That said, for this particular role, i’d go for 30-35 range of male actors.
The problem is just that Christian Grey is so young in the book (because Twilight fanfiction of course).
But I think even Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be hotter than Jamie Dornan (sorry, he’s as exciting to me as a paper bag).
I think it’s more interesting that they aren’t even planning to start shooting until 2016 with a 2017 release. Given the truly horrible reviews and second week 70% domestic drop will anyone still care enough to go see it? I still say they should recast Dornan. No amount of work could make him remotely interesting in this role.
The delay is probably due to changes in production crew. If it had been smooth sailing, you bet they’d be ready to shoot the sequel promptly.
As it stands, they don’t have a script writer and no director, and that’s probably the tip of the iceberg as far as what crew they have.
A manly less 30 years old actor ? Maybe Hemsworth’s little brother or Shad Moss aka Bow Wow
Bow Wow?? Yeaaaah…nope. He’s in his 20’s and he still looks like a young teenager.
Mad Eye Moody as the lead in 50 Shades is a great idea ! 😀
i understand them, they are in a good position to negotiate but i also think the success isnt down to them nor the director. this isnt a movie that lives of skill. its a media sensation and got soooo much free promotion from all spectrums, it was always going to be a financial success. they would have screwed up badly if it didnt make a good profit.
so while i feel none of them deserve better pay the studios screw so many people out of their money (at the moment mostly writers) that im more on the side of the actors and the director.
The less facial hair Dornan has the less attractive he gets. I’ve said this since OUAT…when I couldn’t believe he was the weird jawed guy from Marie Antoinette. The beard covered the weird jaw line. If Christian Grey had a beard mebbe I’d have bothered to watch.
You didn’t like him in Marie Antoinette? I LOVED him, I remember thinking she was so lucky because Count von Fersen was the most beautiful man I had ever seen (in fairness, I was like 13 years old, but I still think Jaime is hot).
The main celebrity crush of 22-year-old me, Tom Hardy, also has a small role in the movie.
Now I really wanna rewatch Marie Antoinette!
I’d let Tom Hardy eat crackers in my bed…as long as he was naked.
Jamie needs some scruff in the next film. He’s delicious with a slight beard. Haven’t seen FSOG yet btw.
Tyler Hoechlin, Hunter Parrish….I got nothing else.
I’m in my late twenties and I find harry styles attractive. THERE I SAID IT.
I expected that no matter who played Christian Gray, he would be the new “it” guy, and women would love him just because of the sexy character. I haven’t seen the movie, so I have no opinion on this, but it is interesting that Jamie’s charisma seems to be missing. And who would have thought that Dakota would be the break out star? That was a total surprise to me. Nice to see something relatively positive come out of this low bar franchise.
I would love to know their real feelings toward the whole thing – they lost the director they love, they have to work closely with the crazy author, and Jamie knowing he just isn’t cutting it for many people.
I haven’t seen the film but I’ve watched the Graham Norton Show with him in February and to me he was an absolute charisma vacuum. He seemed both super bored and embarrassed to be there, even though Julie Walters was sitting next to him and she’s a hoot.
Michael B Jordan and (don’t shoot me) Miles Teller are both sexy to me. Liam H as well.
Miles Teller makes me cringe, but I won’t shoot you, haha, can’t deny his talent as smug and annoying as he is.
Teller is manly and talented even if he doesn’t fit as Grey
Oh gosh, I didn’t want any of those guys for 50 Shades (a movie I didn’t see). Just musing about hot dudes over here – don’t mind me:)
Yes to MBJ. A thousand times yes. Yes to the third power. Yes, Yes and more Yes. Yes.
I don’t know how well the next film will do. There was rage, weeping, and gnashing of teeth amongst my co-workers who flocked to see this, having read the book til the ink smeared. Imagine my evil laughter when I found out that they were ALL disappointed in the film. “Not enough sex” Too boring” and the most damning of all “He wasn’t hot like he was in the book”. So…if the people who read that crap and were dying to see it hated it and didn’t like the actors, I wonder how well the second will go over? Of course, they will get that first wave to see if the sequel is better, but after that? They better amp it up, or the um, fans? of the series are not going to pay.
People’s expectations that it would be easy to duplicate the character descriptions of incredibly attractive people irl is kind of silly. Book characters are highly idealized. Even the most beautifully attractive actor/actress could never meet the expectation because the characters in books are right out of the author’s imaginations. They are the ideal man/woman in the mind of the author. Unless the author specifies that their character looks like so and so, it would be hard to bring the character to life irl.
E.L. James rejected otherwordly handsome dudes because they had black hair & did not conform with her visual fantasies based on James Spader’s role in The Secretary, Mikey Rourke in 9 1/2 Weeks or Sparkles in Twilight.
Ian Sommerhalder would have been perfect for this role even though he is pretty or David Gandhi.
She was given way too much power hence the disaster the movie turned out to be!
I’ve said this before but if James didn’t have a stranglehold over the script and Sam Johnson and her screenwriter given the control they should have, the script would have been better written especially, the Christian role IMO. Universal
screwed up royally. I say give Jamie and Dakota anything they want especially if James is to get free reign again. They’ll be the ones taking the brunt of the criticism.
Taylor Kitsch (early 30s)! And Liam H is also my favorite 20-something.
Eh, I don’t think it’s Kim’s age, or Kaiser’s. I think it’s the cult of youth having been applied across the board so that even 20-something men are afraid of aging out of parts (we are in an era of YA films.)
Look back at 20-somethings of previous decades. Two that quickly came to mind were Heath Ledger and Ewan McGregor. There was no age-based reaction to the lust for either of them!
Or Fassbender! I’ve seen him for the first time in TV stuff he made when he was 26/27 and he was absolutely hot hot hot.
Dakota certainly deserves one: she’s the only one getting good reviews, from both reviewers and people I know who have seen the movie. One friend said she was “disappointed Johnson was as good as she was.