On Wednesday, we covered Jeremy Renner’s statement about wage inequality. I thought the line of questioning was fair, considering the whole conversation began and has centered around American Hustle and the unequal pay of the actors and actresses within that specific film. Renner was paid more for his extended cameo in that film than Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams (and Adams was the lead!). Jennifer Lawrence wrote an essay about it and Bradley Cooper recently pledged to help his female costar negotiate better deals or deals equal to his deals. When Renner was asked about all of this and whether he would join B-Coop in helping out the sisters, Renner’s reply was basically “Nah” (go here to read Renner’s actual response).
Fairly or unfairly, Renner got some pushback online as most sites ran with “Jeremy Renner says it’s not his job to insure that actresses are paid fairly” or “Least-Useful Avenger Says It’s ‘Not My Job’ to Help Actresses Get Equal Pay” headlines. So Renner tweeted this, possibly in response to the backlash:
SHOW me what you do, I'll stand by your side, only TALK about want you do, I can only listen. #actions #talkischeap #LoveWins
— Jeremy Renner (@Renner4Real) October 22, 2015
Is this about the wage equality conversation or about something else? No matter. It doesn’t really make much sense in any context. Both Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper made proactive moves on their side and when Renner was asked about those moves specifically, he was still committed to sitting on the sidelines. Guess he thinks it’s better to not walk the walk OR talk the talk.
Meanwhile, Page Six had an item about Renner yesterday. At the Remy Martin event on Tuesday, Renner got on stage at the ArtBeam and sang and performed with the band Brother Sal. A source told Page Six: “Jeremy said he’s been singing every day for the last few weeks. And he’s planning to release an album.” His rep confirmed, saying: “He is recording, but [there’s] no date or plans as to when this might be released.” Would you listen to the smooth rock stylings of Jeremy Renner?
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
I don’t even understand what that means? And why the #lovewins hashtag?
He is saying everybody is coming down on him but he is reflecting a mirror back asking the people complaining. Show him what they have done to help gender equality and equal pay and he will stand with them. Basically saying they are as lazy as he is.
I don’t find him handsome at all, which is fine with him, I’m sure, and I didn’t understand his point. Love wins?
Agree, he is so unattractive, I don’t understand his pull as a “movie star” Actors do not have to be good looking, but I reckon movie stars do. Plus he reeks of smug….all the time Eau de Smug.
Exactly, this guy disgusts me. And he seems to hate women, for some reason. In interviews it shines through. He disgusts me so much I can’t watch his movies anymore. The way he and Chris whatever his name is spoke about Scarlett Johansson’s character in the Avengers movie was just too much misogyny for me to ever want to support this guy ever again.
He looks like grumpy cat and acts like a total women hating a!hole. so ugly inside and out.
It could be about anything.
You smell that guys. Ahhh…white, male privilege in the morning.
Nice Apolcalypse Now Reference!
Is his 15 minutes up yet?
Dead at the “Least-Useful Avenger” LOL.
I loved that too.
Is he morphing into Liberace?
Yeah his face is seriously creepy now. It’s like he’s wearing a permanent Halloween mask.
Yeah, he starts looking like Grandpa from the Simpsons!
What a shame. He was brilliant in the Hurt Locker.
I can think of one passion him and Liberace have in common, if you know what I mean. it’s funny him tweeting #lovewins when he threw his boyfriend under the bus and began playing straight.
I’m afraid it’s not my job to make sense of idiotic words tweeted by an idiot.
I’m not getting it. If it’s related to wage equality, is he saying women must PROVE their worth to him before he’ll stand up for equality? Maybe I’m reading it wrong, I don’t know.
Inthinknhebisbsaying he won’t just talk about it, but if someone takes action, he will be by their side… All apparent evidence to the contrary 😉
But JLaw didn’t have any problem with her getting paid more than Pratt in their upcoming movie. So it’s only unfair if she didn’t get paid the same as the guys but it’s okay if it’s the other way around?
It’s okay when one star is demonstrably worth more in the marketplace than another. Jennifer Lawrence, no matter what you may think of her, is one of the most famous, recognizable actresses in the world, who has proven she can be a draw for non-franchise movies (like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle). Chris Pratt has had a lot of success recently, but he’s still an unknown quantity outside franchises, and the average person doesn’t necessarily recognize him (as accidentally proven by Billy Eichner).
The problem with American Hustle is that JLaw and Jeremy Renner both had small parts, yet Jeremy got paid *way* more than her, even though the distributor relied heavily on JLaw’s presence in the film to help sell it. And in that same movie, you had Amy Adams, who was a co-lead alongside Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper, making far less, too. You can make a case that Christian Bale is worth more because he’s the most famous (next to JLaw), but Coop and Amy are of equal value. Yet Amy got far less.
If Passengers gets a sequel or JLaw and Chris Pratt ever work together again, I bet they’d get more equitable paychecks the second time around, because Pratt will absolutely reach that level. He’s just not quite there yet. No one is yet sure how valuable he really is in and of himself.
But we want equal pay for equal work don’t we?
I love how you guys are so deliberately obtuse, but here’s an example.
My company, and I know I am very lucky about this, has a very fair pay scale. Jobs are grouped by function and are paid the same rate within the group regardless of who holds the job. So my male counterpart, who does the same job I do but for a different office, makes the same base salary as me. However, my company also gives higher raise percentages based on the length of time you’ve been with the company, as a way of rewarding loyalty for those who stay with them for a long time. So even though my male counterpart has the same base pay, he makes a little more than me because he’s been with the company 3 years longer. I’m fine with that. In three years, I’ll get the same raise he did because I will have put in my time with the company. The point is that we start from the same place, and if I choose to remain with this company as long as he has, I will receive the exact same benefit he once did. There won’t be any difference because I’m a woman and he’s a man.
@Algernon
No it’s equal pay for equal work? That what everyone is talking about actors and actresses should be paid the same. So why isn’t chris being paid the same as jen?
You don’t compare Jennifer Lawrence to Chris Pratt, you compare her to the rest of the A list, like Matt Damon, George Clooney, RDJ, and the other $20 million-plus earners. If Passengers starred Chris Pratt and Matt Damon, Matt Damon, being the more famous person who will be more valuable an asset when it comes time to promote the movie, would get $20 million, just as JLaw is doing, because she is the more famous person who will be a more valuable asset when it comes time to promote the movie.
We’re all taking about creating situations where women have equal opportunity to earn what their male peers are earning at the same level. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are not on the same level. But she is now being compensated equally with men in her same position, like Matty D and the others.
You want to remove all context from the debate, because it works in your favor *in this one case* to point out that a woman is making more than a man, but that means ignoring that Chris Pratt is not Jennifer Lawrence’s peer. Her peers are, as I said, guys like Clooney, Damon, RDJ, etc. They’re the ones you compare her to. But that doesn’t fit your deliberately obtuse argument.
Well said Algernon!
Wow, you just don’t get it do you? Like algernon said, It’s about being paid what you’re worth. Jlaw even if she has less screen Time should be paid more because she is the most famous and has proved her box office draw. No one goes to see a movie for Jeremy renner.
Lainey nailed this yesterday. She said “this is what happens when you forget that actors are stupid.”
Oh I’m stealing that, also throw in politicians because every word Ben Carson speaks has me in a state of confusion and intense fear for every person who was ever unconscious under his scalpel.
Does he wear mascara on the bottom pic?
I think he almost always does!
He worked as a makeup artist before making it in films, so he probably ‘is’ wearing eyeliner. Isn’t there a male line of makeup?
I think he handled the question poorly, but I think the lashing he is getting may be slightly unfair. All the headlines are saying ‘Renner Says Fighting For Wage Equality Not His Job’ and the like, but what he was really saying is that salaries are not his job. Which is true. The privilege is evident in that it never occurred to him to be part of the discussion, but I think it honestly never occurred to him that it has anything to do with him. That isn’t exactly the same thing as actively declaring the fight for equality “not his job.” I still think he’s a douche, but let’s give the guy a fair shake. Let’s see what he does from here forward.
But if one is benefitting from the inequality, surely there is a moral imperative to speak up? The oppressed and the oppressed alone cannot change a system. I’ll bet that if he were on the receiving end of wage discrimination, he would be more actively involved in the discussion.
Let them eat cake, he says (or, as it’s hollywood rice cakes).
It doesn’t justify the massive amount of twitter hate though, most of which was prompted by some highly manipulative reporting.
You make a point, but until I see hot young actresses protesting the Hollywood sexism that demands all major female parts be filled by hot young actresses and turning down those roles so they’ll give them to older, less conventionally-attractive women who would be far more suitable for the parts, I’m not going to demand that Jeremy Renner makes a stand on the issue…
Yes, of course there is, but if one does not realize one is benefiting from inequality, should they be held to the same standards as someone who does? I really think he is just now learning that he is part of the issue. That’s why I say, let’s see what he does now.
Okay but then I can judge him for his stupidity? Who in their right mind never thinks about wages in their field and how their own compares to everyone else’s? I think the problem here is that however you parse his answer (the whole answer), he simply does not think it concerns him. Which makes him look like a turd at best. And then someone brings it to his attention that he could – in theory – do or say something and he still won’t. At that point his cluelessness turns into douchebaggery. I have no respect people who care only about themselves.
Well no kidding, the guy is a douche. But now that’s he’s been called out, I wonder if his perception will change.
I doubt it, because his tweet says that he won’t do anything unless #lovewins? I don’t know it’s confusing, but he seems to be saying he isn’t going to participate in this fight, unless, I guess, a female co-star went to him and asked him directly to stand with her. But since he’s already said “that’s not my job” I wonder how many actresses would even bother. Bradley Cooper let it be known he’s willing to be an ally, but Jeremy Renner, any way you cut it, doesn’t want to be part of this change. Fine. We don’t need him, just like the Avengers don’t need Hawkeye.
I feel like it’s a riddle… but theres no answer?
I used to make these types of posts when I was in high school with my friends on LiveJournal. It was kind of passive-aggressive, quite frankly. Whatever you’re trying to say, just say it, Renner. As it is, that tweet means nothing and only makes you look ridiculous.
You got it. Juvenile. And it has all the import and profundity of roommates having a pseudo-poetry war with those refrigerator word magnets.
Nope, not gonna attempt to decipher confusing and nonsensical tweet. I’m sure he’s mad about something.
He did spend yesterday at some kids convention designed to encourage thinking skills . Maybe it was a sound bite from one of the educators or inspirational speakers? I’ve been to some events like that and they do come up with some strange things..
That tweet has no sense whatsoever¡¡ I think his other tweet is related to the backslash
“Dear sensationalism, “Pay her” isn’t the headline to get you the attention you’re needing? Here’s a big Twitter hug #journalismmatters”
He was yesterday in a TeamKids event for children, and allegedly the tweet “SHOW me what you do, I’ll stand by your side, only TALK about want you do, I can only listen. #actions #talkischeap #LoveWins” is related to that, but still makes no sense at all. Or he is fighting the ex, whatever. He has become such a joke.
“Dear sensationalism, “Pay her” isn’t the headline to get you the attention you’re needing? Here’s a big Twitter hug #journalismmatters”
Ok I get this one. You are not getting enough attention by talking about the actual, important story, so you take something harmless and sensationalize it. #journalismmatters was something he talked about after researching investigative reporting for Kill the Messenger, but I would have thought its use here would be sarcastic, so I don’t really get the hug bit, unless that is sarcastic too.
SHOW me what you do, I’ll stand by your side, only TALK about want you do, I can only listen. #actions #talkischeap #LoveWins
I am going to try this one.
If it is about equal pay – someone who is an expert in the field of movie contract negotiations come up with a workable plan and I will get behind it. Endless talk is a waste of time. #lovewins – a little tipsy?
If it is about education – If you are gong to inspire others take action and lead by example, don’t just talk. #lovewins – still a little tipsy
There’s already a workable plan. There is precedent of casts banding together to get equal deals (Twilight, Harry Potter). And Bradley Cooper has already said he’d be willing to work with female co-stars to ensure parity. It’s not Jeremy Renner’s job, but apparently Coop think it’s his.
So it can be done for popular established casts with continuing franchises or long running TV programs. Also, Someone in Cooper’s elevated position believes he can do the same with all his films. If Cooper can show that to be true and the film studios are willing to support that model, even when they are not dealing with a top star, then yes it is a workable solution. That would be fantastic and I would be more than willing to change my view of Cooper.
You’ve been trying to let him off the hook but Jeremy Renner took a dumb stance on this. If he doesn’t want to be involved, all he has to say is, “More needs to be done, absolutely,” and just let it go. He doesn’t need to literally say, “That’s not my job.” Also, again, Jeremy is a producer. He does have the ability, at least on the movies he produces, to ensure fair wages. But he doesn’t want to talk about that at all. He just wants to say, “That’s not my job.”
I like Jeremy Renner and I enjoy him in movies, but he was disappointing this week.
I think saying “more needs to be done” would just be hypocritical since he’s doing nothing about it. By saying it’s not his job, he’s just stating a fact. The question was made in the context of the payments for American Hustle, for which Renner didn’t even negotiate his own salary. And he actually did say he believed in equal pay in the original article, but people conveniently gloss over that (I’m not sure if I believe him about it, but he said it).
I actually dont like Renner, I find him an alright-not-too-impressive actor and a huge douchebag. But I think the answer he gave was just honest and appropiate.
Understood and it is a fair comment, but the power he has is very limited and the margins he has to work within are probably very small. I think the focus should be on people like George Clooney, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, people who take a political stance, are rolling in cash and have the experience and influence to really get changes made. Maybe they will take a strong public stance and effective action, but we still have to see if Cooper was just spouting off or if he really will do something. Without the utterly ridiculous over reaction I would just be frustrated that the man never seems to know when to shut up and will always dig his heels in. But, it is also frustrating because this is absolute catnip to conservatives who are laughing at the liberal outrage. It is an important issue and I think the the over reaction is off-putting to the majority of people and far more damaging than Renner’s reported indifference..
Also the comment further up about the fair pay policy in your company is very similar to the one in mine. I can see how this can be applied in a stable working environment and it has been applied when film making is stabilized in franchises and TV series, but movie making seems to be a very different prospect. The chances of a project actually making it into a theater is very small and the only way I can see this working is if SAG applies a strict pay structure across all jobs in the production and a requirement that all accounts are open to scrutiny. Any small film maker trying to do that unilaterally would be putting a huge burden on themselves.
@ Jellybean
I don’t understand why more companies don’t have this kind of policy. When I started here, it felt revolutionary, and now it’s so simple and transparent and clear, I’m like, “Why isn’t everyone doing this, it solves so many of the problems.” The only reason filmmaking is a different environment is because the negotiations are, usually, handled separately, and that is because they want to avoid this very situation. It behooves TPTB to keep people in the dark about what people are actually making because it makes it easier for them to take advantage of people. That’s why it’s so important that people talk about this, share their experience, and yes, work together to effect change.
I think this is everyone’s problem. Even within his “smaller margin,” there are things Jeremy Renner could do to be proactive about change, but he’s clearly not interested. Fine. Shut up, step aside, and let someone who actually cares to be a productive member of society get it done.
I can’t discuss this any more, I have run out of time. But if the people who work for Renner are happy there is a very good chance he has a fair pay policy, but if that is the case is he the sort to want to talk about it? He seems to have zero PR sense
“Dear sensationalism, “Pay her” isn’t the headline to get you the attention you’re needing? Here’s a big Twitter hug #journalismmatters”
No, no, no, Jeremy. It’s not journalism that matters. As an actor in English-language films, a basic command of English matters. ‘Need’ is a stative not dynamic verb and should not be used in the continuous aspect. Basically, you either need something or you don’t.
What a jackass.
Maybe he’s taking the Trump route on gender income inequality “if you WERE truly worth the same amount the market would pay you the same amount”
Lets face it – would anyone notice if he wasnt in another avengers movie? I dont think so… and amy adams is awesome!!
Well next major role up for Mr Renner will be opposite Amy Adams as her colleague/lover. According to the screenwriter the wrap day was full if tears and the whole shoot was notable for the the loving and caring relationship between the cast and crew, a comment prompted by a gift from Amy and jeremy for the wrap party. It is nice to hear that some casts and crew are so supportive of each other. It is a shame that Amy was subjected to abuse from David O’Russell on the Set of American Hustle and was ridiculously under paid, but I guess David O’Russell (director producer) and Bradley Cooper (producer) are off the hook on that one because they know how to prepare an adequately placating soundbite.
Hawkeye is an important part of the Avengers in the comic books and a LOT of people would miss him in the movies, even if he isn’t one with cool super powers.
COME ON PEOPLE! The “show me” tweet is about the kids empowerment organization that he is supporting! No points for that? Not one single mention anywhere?
The “sensationalism” tweet is another awkwardly phrased response that IS about gender pay gap – about how the inane media are cutting and pasting to make sure everyone squabbles about Renner being a dick instead of talking about the actual reasons that men allow themselves to devalue women’s artistry, work, faces, bodies, intelligence and therefore pay them less. Oh, and the real reason? Because. They. Can.
And yes, women need to man the heck up and get in there and fight. But oh my younger sisters, that was literally impossible until the last few years.
As I stated elsewhere, Lawrence’s role was conceived as being essentially tiny and Renner’s central – equal to Cooper and Bale. During the chaotic shoot by the mentally ill Russell and the editing process, that changed. Given the starting parameters, Laurence salary was reasonable if not generous.
Will no one adrress the issue that makes me insane? 24 year old Laurence was brought in to play the part of a real-life late-forties woman. Directions to the costumer? She never wears a bra. Directions to Laurence? Bounce.
To me, he is the reason the word “unsavory” was invented.
You’ll have better luck finding a natural blonde in Hollywood than “fairness.”
The entertainment industry is possibly the worst battlefield to argue over “pay equity”. It’s an industry where merit and success rarely coincide, and “stardom” is arbitrary and usually fleeting. Hollywood rewards, among other things: nepotism, casting couches, dumb luck, fickle public taste, trends, hype, schemers, scammers, and whatever the “is” is that turns some entertainers into public obsessions. Meanwhile, equally or more talented/beautiful/skilled entertainers are forever B or C list, if they even get on any list at all.
Jennifer Lawrence is a very lucky young woman who has become a multi-millionaire at the tender age of 25 doing what she loves, and what hundreds, thousands of worthy, talented unknowns will never have the chance Of even trying.
Why her agent, who presumably earns a percentage, didn’t negotiate harder on her behalf is a question she may want to ask her agent. Did her agent have a conflict of interest? Sell her out to get more favorable treatmental for another client? Project? Was Lawrence willing to walk away if her demands weren’t met? Was her agent so out of the loop she/he didn’t have a good idea what the other actors were getting? Etc. etc.
And really. In the end. Who cares? These are rich people’s problems that most people, men and women, would be thrilled to have.
Just my two cents, as it were.