One of the good things about the Sony Hack was that we got some intimate information about pay disparities between actors and actresses. I would imagine some of the information was even news to many major actresses, like how Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams got paid much, much less than their male counterparts in American Hustle. Some actresses used the information to their advantage: when Charlize Theron learned that Chris Hemsworth was getting a better paycheck for The Huntsman, she demanded and GOT an equal paycheck.
Even if you’re a director or producer not directly affected by the Sony Hack and the details of the crazy double-standard pay scales, you should probably still keep your nose clean and not make any kind of egregious pay disparities between your male lead and your female leads. That’s not what happened though. According to Star Magazine, Matt Damon got $18 million MORE than Jessica Chastain in The Martian, a film where their roles are pretty much equal.
This doesn’t look to be a fair game. Their talent and award-winning trophies may have the same weight—but Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain’s paychecks sure don’t in their upcoming movie The Martian.
“Matt’s getting $25 million for this role, with Jessica earning around $7 million, even though Jessica is really in demand and worked just as hard on the film,” a source exclusively tells Star.
But Jessica isn’t ignoring the reputation that divas on set can so easily get—and she really doesn’t want to become one so she’s keeping her feelings to herself. The last thing she wants to be labeled is difficult to work with because that’s when roles start to dry up for stars in Hollywood.
“She does think it’s unfair, but figures it’s simply a case of Matt’s team negotiating better than hers,” explains the insider. “And while Matt is embarrassed by the disparity, he’s not about to turn down the extra cash.”
While I think Matty D could easily command a $20 million-plus paycheck for another turn as Jason Bourne – by far his most successful franchise/role – it surprises me that he was able to get $25 million for a film that probably already has a crazy, bloated budget because of all of the special effects. Jessica’s paycheck seems about what I would expect – I imagine she’s commanded somewhere between $5 million and $10 million for a few years. While I think Matty D is the bigger star – and he will certainly have top billing and likely a heavier promotional schedule – it’s insane that the two leads of the same film have such wildly disparate paychecks.
(Shh… don’t tell CB, because she loves him, but I judge Matty D for not standing up for the sisters. If he was aware of the pay disparity, which Star says he was, I would expect him to pull rank and stand up for what is right.)
Here’s the trailer for The Martian. The special effects look incredible. But did anyone else expect the landscape to look… red? THIS IS NOT RED ENOUGH FOR MARS.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I disagree with the premise that Jessica Chastain and Matt Damon are “equal” stars. They may have the same amount of work in the movie, but Matt would be the bigger star by far – he can open a movie on his own. Jessica is great. I love her. But I as a woman wouldn’t pay her the same amount as I am paying Matt Damon. This isn’t the same situation as American Hustle at all when one could argue that BOTH the women involved there were bigger stars than all three of the men.
Matt Damon is one of the biggest stars in the world, and his name will be used to sell the movie. You’re correct, they most definitely aren’t equal despite both being the leads. But that said, I wonder if Jessica Chastain were a man, if she’d have a much higher asking price, likely in the Bradley Cooper asking range.
Agreed. 7 million is A LOT of money. 25 million is just ridiculous, and there are only a few people in Hollywood who could even begin to negotiate such a check. Matt Damon is one of them; Jessica Chastain is not.
i dont even think Matt really is one of them. Star is probably wrong about that much money.
i dont think they would pay anyone that much if its not a franchise movie where they need the actor, for example RDJ.
the big era of stars who pull people is mostly over. its the time of franchises.
Don’t think for a moment that the producers wanted 1) a bankable woman and 2) somebody who isn’t asking that much per film but is a tremendous professional. See, it’s Chastain’s management’s fault for not increasing her asking price with each prestige film she’s done, to eventually get her major money for a CHRISTMAS 2015 tentpole movie. Shame on her handlers.
True, Sumodo1. Oh, and f&^% this pay disparity s*&*.
Agree with you all here. Matt is far and away the biggest star and even if 25 mil seems bloated for that movie, he can ask for it. Jess would be laughed out of the room; she doesn’t have that negotiating power. 7 mil is still a hella lot of moulah.
Not only is a bigger and longer established star he is the lead of this movie if they are staying true to the book. His scenes will also be carried by him as he is alone most of the movie.
100% agree, Matt is by far the bigger draw of the two and that translates to mega-paychecks such as this one. That said, she like any woman needs to step up her negotiating game if she feels she isn’t getting what she deserves.
Yes, I agree. He is a far, far bigger star than she is. I’m not surprised by the disparity. I want equal pay for equal situations, but I don’t see this as a perfect example of that.
Agreed. When it comes to movies, it’s not that you’re paying people based on the work they put in. You’re paying them based on the “get” factor. More people will be buying tickets because Matt Damon’s name is attached to the movie. As much as I love Jessica Chastain, and as crazy talented as she is, people do not fork over $12 for a movie ticket just to see her.
The roles aren’t equal either. My husband read the book and said no where near equal in the book
When she has a nearly 20 year resume of profitable films, we can talk even footing..Damon has topped Forbes list for star payback ($29 revenue for every salary $) and does have the clout to open films..it’s usually about the green. That being said, I always question Star’s accuracy, and we don’t know what back-end deals (percents and perks) were included.
Oddly enough, I can only think of one Damon movie I watched in entirety, and that had an ensemble cast – Ocean’s Eleven. And as far as a “20-year” resume, I’m sure there are actors with a decade less experience who are asking just as much. They pay athletes ridiculous amounts of money because their career lifespan is short – well a woman’s duration of access to bankable roles in Hollywood is short too, so maybe they ought to pay them MORE.
I’d like to be outraged but there is no way I can buy he got $25 million upfront. Ridley Scott has been under performing (to be kind!) and outside Bourne Damon has repeatedly flopped. This doesnt pass the smell test.
If they did pay him that? The studio is full of morons.
I really like Matt Damon. But, he has not a serious hit in years (not counting Bourne). Why would they pay him $25 million? Most of the folks who open big get about $20, so this story has some really big holes in it to start, mostly, the fact that it is Star who wouldn’t know the truth if it sat on them.
I agree. Even if he had some hits, $25 million is ridiculous to pay anyone for anything.
Actually the men get much more than 20 million. I’ve heard 20 to 35 million range quoted for Angelina, Sandra, and JLaw as the highest paid women and sickening numbers like 75 to 50 mill for RDJ and Leo Dicaprio, and Johnny Depp. The pay gap is real and it’s sad to think but it’s possible that Matt Damon who has very little draw could possibly be getting paid as much as the biggest female stars.
http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/03/media/hollywood-salaries/
@Luca.. I don’t think that article is about base pay. It is after the movie has made its money and they get percentages. That is why Downey and Bullock cleaned up with their huge hits. Downey gets a piece of a multi billion dollar franchise and that is why he is filthy rich. He might even take less up front to insure what he gets afterwards. Same for Depp. That is where the big money is-back end, not up front. Most of the big stars get huge back end deals which gives them tons of money. Lesser actors just get base pay.
And I don’t think Damon is worth $25 mil of base pay. Chastain has a way to go before getting base and back end. But I do agree that the wage gap is real for men and women and also big names and not so big ones.
Yeah I guess I would clarify that I don’t believe he got $25 million upfront. Might he have back end that could get him that if the movie succeeds? Sure. RDJ didn’t get $75 million upfront, he had points. Likely if the movie flops, Damon gets much less.
Let me also say me not buying this story has nothing to do with defending Hollywood (they remain sexist and ridiculous) but rather this would be terrible business deal making and throwing money away. That? They’re more careful about (pay parity not so much).
@jen2 True. Actually, apart from the Bourne series, he hasn’t been able to carry a movie on his own in recent years. In all his other successes (The Departed, Saving Private Ryan, Contagion, True Grit, Ocean’s trilogy), he was part of an ensemble. But Elysium – flopped in the USA, The Informant – wide release and barely broke even, The Good Shepherd – mild success, Promised Land – flop, The Brothers Grimm – flop, Green Zone – major flop, Hereafter saved by the international BO, Invictus – same, broke even thanks to the foreign BO.
I think his only movie in recent years which made money and wasn’t Bourne or an ensemble one was The Adjustment Bureau. And overall, Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley are pretty much the only successful Matt Damon vehicles.
Even Johnny Depp got a pay-cut for Pirates 5 after his recent flop streak. So to me, 25 mil. $ for someone like Matty, who isn’t even a box office draw is a lot of money.
While I love Jessica Chastain, she is not there yet, in part because most of her career consists of indies. BUT she did have two successes which she completely carried – Mama and Zero Dark Thirty + playing a big part in Interstellar. Matty D doesn’t have a hit in 5 years (Since True Grit in 2010). And yes, I do like him, but he doesn’t really have star power; although, to be fair, who has nowadays? It’s mostly the marketing, the way movies are sold, that brings people to cinemas.
Yeah, those studios really need some good compensation analysts if even half of these stories are true. Idiots! Mad Max is the first non-kid movie I’ve seen in the theater in years, but even I know MD is no $25 million.
But Damon has had several flops. Of course that means he can still get paid millions while actresses are blamed for not making their films hits.
Damon is doing the next Bourne film because his career isn’t what it used to be.
What about Clooney, the supposed star, his latest film also flopped. Or J.Depp.
People don’t go to watch so called stars they watch for the storylines and genres.
He earned it, in this case. He is a marquee name, and Chastain is a moderately talented “it” girl.
Maybe Damon is a big name but what about Chris Hemsworth? Why is he payed 20 mil? He was payed more than Theron in the first Huntsman installment and Theron had to fight for equal pay. I agree Damon is a big name, although he is not as big as he used to be, but what about all the Hemsworths out there?
That’s why I said “in this case.”
Frankly, I think Matt Damon is an ‘it’ guy. People find his persona likeable and so he gets a million passes, but I think a lot of his acting is just okay.
I think of an “it” guy or gal as someone who’s just in a bunch of things all at once, then we forget about them. I think his career is a lot more memorable than hers. I’ve never once said “gee, I’d like to see Jessica Chastain in x role”. She just isn’t someone who interests me. She seems nice enough, and all. But she’s not the kind of ‘get’ that Matt is, even with his flops.
Matt Damon is an aged It Boy. Not much more. He can’t carry a film either.
Not when you count worldwide distribution, iTunes, DVR sales, etc. There’s a big long-term market for those guys. Mr. Fanty doesn’t follow entertainment media much, and he buys a movie a week, to watch on his Friday commute. If there is a movie with Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, or any of those middle aged guys in it, he will usually buy it, because, he tells me, at the very least, he knows it will be watchable. That’s good branding.
I don’t get the hype surrounding Matt Damon…*shrugs*
Good point, t.fanty. My husband’s ears always perk up when he hears there’s a Damon / Neeson / Cruise film for rent on iTunes, because he figures, at the very least, he’ll be sufficiently entertained. I naively hadn’t thought of it as “branding” before, but of course, you’re absolutely right.
Thank you. He had proved for , at least, 2 decades that he can bring the audiences.
When?
His movies outside of the Bourne franchise flopped.
Plus the studios know he’s not going to embarrass them. He’s likeable, pleasant and fun in interviews – no drugs, no young models, no outbursts. If I was an executive i’d bank on that.
This source sure does know how to phrase it so that the producers eat all the shit. As they should. But it also stresses Chastain’s and Damon’s motives for staying silent without anyone asking for them.
Maybe Chastain kept her mouth shut not to get a bad rep and now she is telling the producers how she really feels by leaking this.
But Matt Damon is HUGE movie star that can carry a movie by himself, this comparison is not fair. Had it been say Julia Roberts then I would be surprised but Jessica does not have that kind of pull.
Outside of Bourne, what movie has he carried by himself?
People went to see Bourne because it was a great movie. Another actor would have done just as well. Most people went to see a great action movie, that has more to do with the stunts and explosions not Matt Damon.
I don’t think he is worth 25 million. Maybe 18. It’s insulting such a great actress like Chastain got so little compared to him. If he got 25 she should at least gotten half of that.
Pathetic Hollywood. Pathetic.
No he can’t. He hasn’t carried a hit in years.
I’ve read the book; Jessica Chastain’s character is a supporting role. It’d be interesting to see how white washed the film will be compared to the book.
Yeah, this. The book is 95% from the perspective of the man trapped on Mars. It’s like Gravity, but even more so (since he doesn’t have anyone with him for even a little bit of the narrative, and it takes a while to make contact with the world).
I don’t see the outrage here.
If I were Jessica I would fire whoever negotiated my contract, and I would definitely side eye the studio. But blaming Matt is ridiculous. If I get more money than a colleague in a similar position, female or male, it is not my job to go to bat for their rights, you know?
That being said I am glad that the salaries and the discrimination prevalent in HW is becoming known. Still not sure how you solve it – if a woman turns down a role twenty wannabes will step up to take her place even if they are paid a third or less than a male co-star… until and unless true equality happens it us difficult to enforce pay equality. The roles may be equal but I bet the studio lawyers would find a way to spin it – he had more lines, he had to work out more, he had to commute further – any stupid excuse would do.
Actually, I think it would be wise to go to bat for their rights as much as you can for the simple reason that someday you might end up in their shoes and when that day comes you will want someone to interfere not necessarily for you, but for the right thing. (if we’re talking about a colleague getting less than you even though he/ she is doing the exact amount of work)
People are paid based on how many consumers they can get into seats. Jessica isn’t going to get many people to come out to watch a movie specifically for her. The majority of the audience will come out only because Matt Damon is starring in it. He’s the star, he’s paid what he’s worth in terms of attracting an audience. They are not equal, nothing to do with gender, everything to do with popularity and success.
People are paid based on how many seats the powers that be THINK they can fill. And they don’t think women not named Jolie, Lawrence, or Bullock can fill seats. Jessica Chastain has worked extensively in smaller movies that aren’t geared towards a giant audience, and yet she’s still put together a great resume and multiple Oscar nominations. If you want to make an apples to apples comparison, I’d suggest Bradley Cooper.
Im sure Matt Damon is a nice person but can you imagine getting 20 MILLION a movie? He must of somewhat of an inflated ego unless hes donates the majority of it/leaving hollywood bubble on a regular basis. Im sorry but no one deserves that much money for a film no matter who they are in my opinion. Maybe 10 million – maybe. Also he has been wealthy for the majority of his life unlike chastain who became successful in her thirties. However it isnt necessarily Matt’s responsibility to negotiate her contract – she or her people should be fighting for her like Theron did.
I have The Martian sitting on my Kindle and I’m under the impression that the story focuses on the male lead, who is stranded(?) on Mars. Anyone read the book yet? I mean, he is an established star and it seems (to me) that the role/film rests a lot on his shoulders so…. fair?
ETA: This is the second story in a year that’s leaked about how Chastain has been supposedly treated unfairly. Huh.
yes. he is in at least 85% of the scenes ( maybe 95% even) and she is mostly in flashbacks. she is a badass though, it wwill be great role for her and she is going to be a very generously compensated for what she has to do. also, she is the female commander of the ship, and he is the lowest ranking crewmen who got himself strainded on Mars, it’s going to be one of those Mad Max controversies/feminists celebrations. it will be great.
I’m about to read it as well, and that’s the impression I had of the story too. If he has a larger role and required more time filming, it makes sense he was paid more (and I do think he’s a bigger box office draw). If they’re equal roles, then the pay should be more equal. I don’t necessarily believe Star’s exact numbers though, because it’s Star.
I have read it. There is no female role in the book that compares to Mark Watney’s role. I can’t imagine how their roles would be equal in the film, unless it is dramatically different from the novel.
I’ve read the book (and I strongly recommend it).
I don’t know how the movie is structured, but in the book Andy (the character Matt Damon plays) gets at least 95% of the focus. He is the astronaut stranded on Mars. The other characters (again, in the book) are supporting roles and fairly minor.
Yes, exactly! I’ve also read the book, and the entire story is focused on Matt Damon’s character – all other characters are secondary. I think this is a non-story: Damon is both playing the lead role, and is a big star, while Chastain for all her talent is less well-known to the general public and she’s playing a supporting role. The situation was entirely different with American Hustle, where Adams and Lawrence were being paid less than Cooper and Renner, despite Adams playing a lead role and Lawrence being front and centre in the film’s advertising and the reviews/award traction it received.
guys, Star has no idea what they are talking about. dont just go with it without, dunno, googling a bit first. Matt is in 85% of the scenes. Chastain role is mostly in flashbacks. she got a very generous payment for what she has to do. trust me, its one of my favorite books and i know it very very well. it’s like Robinson Cruso in space, and she is the captain of the ship that “lost” him in the first place.
Ah..okay. Then her pay was fair
There is no way I believe that he got $25 million for this movie.
I don’t think Matt and Jessica are even close to being the same “level” of star. Matt can open a movie. He’s proven himself to be worth a higher paycheck. Jessica Chastain has not(I do like her a lot though). Hopefully she gets there( to 20-25 mil) but I’d say right now she’s absolutely at the $5-7 million level
Is Jessica Chastain a box-office draw? I know she’s respected, but I don’t know what her box-office is like.
This might be a naive question to ask, but if it’s up to what kind of team you have to negotiate for better pay, why don’t some of the actresses get better teams? It seems a lot comes down to how you negotiate for your pay — in this case, actresses seem to have the chance to actually negotiate for what their price can be. The situation for Hollywood actresses doesn’t seem quite the same as it would be for a regular person who has to more or less just accept what someone offers them.
Lawrence for one seems to have done exactly that – $20 million for Passengers, her next film, apparently. If Chastain is getting $7 million for this film, then her agents have also done well, given that she’s playing a supporting role.
It is sad when women in positions of relative power are not seen to take a stand for equal pay. If it’s really true that she is afraid to speak up then I am disappointed in her. Granted Jessica is no Meryl Streep but she is no minnow either.
WRT to American Hustle, I’m sorry but JLaw had a minor role (in which she wasn’t that great either). Amy Adams is the one I would say deserved more money as a lead actress who did a great job.
The problem with Hustle is that Lawrence and Adams were being paid less than Cooper and Renner – and even though Lawrence was playing a supporting role, her image was all over the advertising and PR for that film and she got awards (a Golden Globe and a BAFTA) for her performance, whereas Renner wasn’t even on the poster. Classic sexism.
I think Chastain is in an awkward position. If she had argued for higher pay for this PARTICULAR role and it became public, then people would probably be ragging on her that she doesn’t have true box-office prowess to ask for that kind of salary. Female CEOs can look to numbers to prove their worth to a company, but unless you’re Sandra Bullock who has a bona-fide track record of making even a film like The Heat a box-office hit or your face is all over the place for various promotions like Jennifer Lawrence, I don’t know how actresses (or actors as well) can really prove that they’re worth the salary they’re asking for. I know Theron fought for higher pay and succeeded, but I assume she was able to prove that the script had her character in a central role that deserved equal pay. It’s not clear to me with this film whether Chastain’s part is as large as Damon’s.
You’re right. It seems this article shouldn’t have been written if she had a minor role.
$25M for Matt Damon? LMAF. Nobody pays Damon $25M unless he plays Jason Bourne. He had series of flops and underperformers after the last Bourne. I doubt Chastain got $7 for a minor role in Martian. Neither Damon nor Chatain is a boxoffice draw. So called A list actors receive much less than tabloids make you believe.
I still dont get the logic behind ‘X actor has a billion dollar franchise therefore X actor deserves the equal amount X would get for said franchise for a standalone movie’ because chances are franchises will do great regardless. like i remember when daniel craig demanded the same paycheck for girl with dragon tattoo (or sequels i cant remember) based on the fact the bond movies do so well, only girl ended up doing much less so it would be insane to give him the same paycheck for a role that wont do as good….
and i cant believe all the bros are getting this much money for movies anyway when typically are the actresses the biggest draw (case in point charlize theron in mad max AND the huntsman despite what chris hemsowrth might think)
“she worked equally as hard” LOL im sure there are people in the world who work a tiny bit harder than both combined and they dont earn that much in 5 life times.
im seriously never going to feel sorry for actors. is it fair that an ugly actor and ugly actress will never be the face of a blockbuster? is it fair that its two white people again?
if there are people who seriously need to stfu about equality its actors who are paid more that anyone else in the world.
I would have thought that he would be getting more money just he IS the lead in the film & his role is a lot bigger? Anyone read the book? The fate of the astronaut stranded on Mars (Damon’s character) takes up around 80% of the book, all told from his perspective.
just read it on wiki. it really seems to be almost exclusively focused on him and i dont see how you could give anyone except of him a bigger role without fundamentally changing the movie. that being said it also sounded pretty boring.
Guys, this comes from star magazine. And it doesn’t even sound right. There’s no way anyone is making 25 million for this movie. Damon is a star, but he’s not that big of a box office draw and it’s not like he even commands publicity attention for a movie through interest in his personal life. I’m sure he made more than her for this movie because that’s how it goes but this reeks of tabloid bullshit to me
I see a lot of people saying Matt hasn’t had a hit since the Bourne movies, but looking at the numbers, I don’t think that’s necessarily true. After that franchise and few other big films, it looks like he went back to smaller films for a bit. There are a few flops that lost money, but The Informant, Invictus, Hereafter, the Adjustment Bureau, We Bought a Zoo, Contagion and Monuments Men all earned at least double their budget. Elysium made nearly $300 million worldwide, and he had a role in Interstellar, which did well. He’s not having huge RDJ/Iron Man successes (very few are), but he’s still a very bankable actor.
I LOVED The Informant!!
Wasn’t Monuments Men considered a huge flop? I only vaguely remember the rest of these, other than We Bought a Zoo, because I remember thinking, “Make sure to NOT see that.” But I am in no way a Matt Damon fan.
It is always refer to as a flop, but the budget was 70 million and it made back 78 in the US, and about that overseas too. With advertising and all the other costs, it probably broke even or made a little bit of money. Not a hit, certainly, but also not really a huge flop.
I read the book it was based on and have an interest in the subject matter- it was a bit old-fashioned, but I enjoyed it and the group I was did as well.
i’ve resd the book & Jessicas part isn’t a big part. Damon will be onscreen by himself most of the movie. all for equal pay but Damons part is much bigger than jessica.Its mostly Damon on Mars by himself, with a few scenes thrown in here & there.
Damon won an Oscar, yes? (It was for writing, I think, but that aside, he has “Oscar winner” after his name.) And a career that traces back to the 1980s.
She does not, to both counts.
End of story.
Jessica Chastain is a fine actress but let’s not kid ourselves, she is not a star. The moviegoing public probably wouldn’t even recognize her on the street. Even grandma knows Matt Damon and has a crush on him.
I’m surprised they paid her $7 million. She’s just not that special and they could have put any of a 100 actresses in the role and not changed the fact that people will see this for the story, the effects and Matt Damon.
Why the hell are studios still throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at Scott. WHY???? Gladiator was almost 20 years ago, Hollywood. Just knowing he is the director has turned me off this film.
No doubt Chastain’s people leaked this. She did stuff like this last year when Paramount wouldn’t let her out of the contract she signed to promote A Most Violent Year.
Matt Damon is in another league in terms of star power. He can open his own movie. Three of her movies in 2014 failed and she was the lead. She only works as a supporting character.
Oh, and I don’t believe either of those reported salaries is accurate.
Agree on all
Matt’s movies haven’t done that well in recent years. I’m also surprised by this number for him. I get Jason Bourne. That will do probably Bourney Ultimatum numbers but I would say at least Taken 2 numbers. But a different movie he hasn’t been the box office draw lately to warrant it. Maybe it’s some kind of deal like Liam had with Taken 2 where he’s guaranteed up to a certain amount past the upfront salary based on the box office.
But he is still way above her in box office draw. Seven million for her is a good contract. I doubt she would be complaining.
“Granger says:
June 4, 2015 at 10:04 am
Good point, t.fanty. My husband’s ears always perk up when he hears there’s a Damon / Neeson / Cruise film for rent on iTunes, because he figures, at the very least, he’ll be sufficiently entertained. I naively hadn’t thought of it as “branding” before, but of course, you’re absolutely right.”
Granger, we just watched Liam’s Run All Night R-rated thriller that just came out on DVD two days ago . It didn’t do that well at the box office, but it’s really good. Wayyyyyy better than Taken 3. It’s very dark and gritty and in New York City. Ed Harris is phenomenal. The action scenes are shot fantastically. And Liam never lets me down. Although, he plays a very shady mobster spiraling down but trying to protect his estranged son who hates him.
Joel Kinnaman, 35, plays Liam’s estranged son and has a big part in the movie. He is really, really fantastic. They should have used him more in promos, not just Liam and Ed Harris, to bring in the younger thriller/action movie fans, because the estranged father and son dynamic is a big part of the movie. I think it would have done better at the box office to have used him in a lot of the promotion too. It’s R-rated and grittier, so they never expected huge numbers anyway, though, but it still underperformed. I loved Joel in the cable TV series “The Killing.”
When you factor in Damon’s total tickets sold vs. Jessica, Damon should be paid more. Over three times more than Jessica? NO. The disparity between their salaries is outrageously wrong and should be illegal.
However, Jessica’s time is coming when she’ll make three times what she’s making now. An Oscar has her name on it. She’s already been nominated twice.
Jessica is 38. I doubt she will ever make three times what she’s making now as she heads into her 40s in Hollywood.
They ALL get paid to much. jeebus christ.
Equal pay for equal work? I can’t believe either of them get paid so much to act in films, while other people, who have far more righteous jobs get paid a pittance.
Good lord people. Damon is a much more experienced, established, awarded actor. He should be paid more than someone who was unknown five years ago. Not everything has to do with sex or race disparity.
The trailer has not yet been released – that is a fake.
Jessica’s hardly in the movie and Matt’s the lead stuck on Mars by himself most of the film. They don’t deserve equal salaries.
I totally agree that they ALL get paid way to GD much and could and should do a LOT more giving back with all of that money, instead of the multiple mansions, etc. That said, I’m a lawyer and I’m thinking now that the pay disparity is really, REALLY out there, they should totally start negotiating their contracts to include equal pay clauses. For example, a clause that doesn’t require the studio to dislcose what the other actor is making, but requires the studio to pay both leads the same. Or, in a case where the leads are not on the same level, require the studio to pay at least X% of what they’re paying the bigger star lead. And a clause that requires that the contracts be reviewed by an independent auditor to ensure that the studio is actually following the rules. I’m sure plenty of actresses don’t necessarily have the clout to get a clause like this, but I would think Jessica Chastain certainly does. Like, in this case (if it weren’t already a done deal), say Jessica’s contract would require that she gets paid at least, say 60% or whatever of what Damon is getting paid.
I can understand Damon getting paid more, but that is a HUGE disparity. Too huge. And for Jessica Chastain?? She’s too legit/accomplished/respected for that level of disparity. Did they confuse her with Jessica Biel? Alba?
Basically – – these ladies (the ones who have the clout for it, anyway) need to take a cue from Charlize and start negotiating not just for what they usually get, but for what’s fair/equal. And I think the Sony hack gives any who do this a free pass from being labeled as difficult or a diva for doing so. Any story about a studio/director calling out a respected actress as a difficult diva for simply negotiating for a fair deal would be dealing with a “you’re a sexist jackass” PR mess in no time.
Its hard to believe he got 25 millions. That number is crazy. I dont believe it. Its probably less
Also I read the book. I don’ know how they will do it in the movie. But Jessicas character was not equal co star. She was supporting character. And has small scene at the beginning and in the end mostly.
Well for starters, unless they’re diverting massively from the source material, Damon is most definitely the lead here and Chastain is a supporting character. But even if they were equal roles, Matt Damon is a household name. Jessica is not even close to that. Great actress, but the films where she stood out were smaller arthouse films, and the few bigger films she’s been in didn’t create a lot of buzz for her personally. I didn’t see people complaining that Josh Hutcherson was getting so much less than JLaw for the second Hunger Games film, where he was playing almost as big a character as her.
That’s how Hollywood works. The work actors do shooting the film isn’t the bit they’re highly compensated for. It’s about the branding, the name recognition. Like anything else really. I’m a lawyer, and some partners in firms make tens of millions just to keep their name above the door. They haven’t done any real work in years, hell sometimes decades. But they built a reputation, and that reputation get’s the firm a lot of business. So they get paid more than the associate working 16hr days, because it’s not about the time put in, it’s about the money brought in.
How about we stop paying actors and actresses such obscene amounts of money, period?
Mars looks redder from a distance because of all the iron oxide (rust) that gets blown around and interacts with the atmosphere, creating that reddish ‘glow’. On the surface (as the rover missions show) – the landscape does not look nearly as red, more of a browny-orange-sandy colour. I have Mars’ Mt Sharp as my screensaver, and I chose it because it looks like the kind of arid landscape you’d find on Earth.
I do not hold actors to a higher standard than the rest of us. BUT, if an actor chooses to use their celebrity to give them a political platform then it is a different matter. Damon cannot lecture us, then go for a maximum cash grab and just be embarrassed about huge inequality in pay. It really does depend on the relative size of the roles though, so I won’t be able to form a valid opinion until I see the film. I consider Chastain to be A list and Damon the bottom end of A+, so even if they are equal leads Damon should command a bit more money.
Uhm…
The trailer is fake, just saying.