8 Hollywood Stars Paid To NOT Work
Hollywood is volatile, and when it comes to a movie’s success there
can be no guarantees. No guarantee that the movie will go well, will
include all the parts that were filmed, or will even be released.
There is one notable exception, however. And it’s a legal one. A “guarantee” clause in an actor’s contract, also known as “pay-or-play”, is a clause that guarantees payment for an actor when he or she signs on to the film.
Big name actors have been known to demand guarantees for their roles in films. It’s just good business: Their commitment to a script means they may have to turn down other tempting, well-paid roles. A guarantee ensures that an actor is paid for his or her time even if the film encounters production problems, fails to land a release, or if another actor is chosen for the role down the line.
Of course, most studios will be reticent about giving out contracts like this, but in some cases a star will refuse the role if the studio won’t put up a guarantee.
It’s an incredibly good deal for the actor, especially if the movie ends up failing before production even begins. In such a rare case, the actor in question is effectively paid for doing – well, absolutely nothing except signing a piece of paper.
The following are eight of those situations, where the pay-or-play clause meant these actors were paid, but never played.
Billy
Dee Williams was chosen to play Harvey Dent in the 1989 film Batman. It
was long rumoured that he signed a pay-or-play contract for the 1989
movie – and its sequel.
The character of Harvey Dent was to shift into Dent’s villainous alter ego in the sequel, Batman Forever. However, Williams’ role was recast due to a change in director for the sequel.
Joel Schumacher, the replacement director, hired Tommy Lee Jones in Williams’ place. However, although Williams reports he would have liked to reprise his role, he has since debunked the rumour that he was paid in full for the sequel. He claims he only ever had a one film contract with the Batman franchise.
Robert De Niro
was originally intended to star as Al Capone in the film The
Untouchables. However, De Niro rejected the role and director Brian De
Palma was forced to turn elsewhere for the part.
British actor Bob Hoskins was the second choice, and so he signed on to the classic movie – until a change of heart from De Niro saw Hoskins ousted.
At this point though, Hoskins had to be bought out from his contract for £20,000. Hoskins chose not to complain about receiving a check for little to no work. He reportedly jokingly actually asked De Palma if he had “any other films you don’t want me to appear in”.
In 2011 Hilary Duff
was set to appear in the remake of “Bonnie and Clyde”. She lost the
role, though – reportedly due to her pregnancy. Duff was axed from the
part and recast, but she was given a large sum for her intended
commitment due to her play-or-play contract.
The actress received $100,000 without lifting a finger. Although some saw the change of role as a snub, others were quick to point out the merits of receiving such a large sum without the effort.
Producers encountered several issues in trying to land a replacement for Duff. True Blood star Lindsay Pulsipher was cast in the role, but later she too was replaced by Holliday Grainger.
There is one notable exception, however. And it’s a legal one. A “guarantee” clause in an actor’s contract, also known as “pay-or-play”, is a clause that guarantees payment for an actor when he or she signs on to the film.
Big name actors have been known to demand guarantees for their roles in films. It’s just good business: Their commitment to a script means they may have to turn down other tempting, well-paid roles. A guarantee ensures that an actor is paid for his or her time even if the film encounters production problems, fails to land a release, or if another actor is chosen for the role down the line.
Of course, most studios will be reticent about giving out contracts like this, but in some cases a star will refuse the role if the studio won’t put up a guarantee.
It’s an incredibly good deal for the actor, especially if the movie ends up failing before production even begins. In such a rare case, the actor in question is effectively paid for doing – well, absolutely nothing except signing a piece of paper.
The following are eight of those situations, where the pay-or-play clause meant these actors were paid, but never played.
8. Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland
The character of Harvey Dent was to shift into Dent’s villainous alter ego in the sequel, Batman Forever. However, Williams’ role was recast due to a change in director for the sequel.
Joel Schumacher, the replacement director, hired Tommy Lee Jones in Williams’ place. However, although Williams reports he would have liked to reprise his role, he has since debunked the rumour that he was paid in full for the sequel. He claims he only ever had a one film contract with the Batman franchise.
2. Bob Hoskins
British actor Bob Hoskins was the second choice, and so he signed on to the classic movie – until a change of heart from De Niro saw Hoskins ousted.
At this point though, Hoskins had to be bought out from his contract for £20,000. Hoskins chose not to complain about receiving a check for little to no work. He reportedly jokingly actually asked De Palma if he had “any other films you don’t want me to appear in”.
1. Hilary Duff
The actress received $100,000 without lifting a finger. Although some saw the change of role as a snub, others were quick to point out the merits of receiving such a large sum without the effort.
Producers encountered several issues in trying to land a replacement for Duff. True Blood star Lindsay Pulsipher was cast in the role, but later she too was replaced by Holliday Grainger.
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