In an ideal world, imagine if our most respected and talented dramatic actors only chose film roles based solely on their passion for art. But alas, even the Hollywood elite sometimes take on roles primarily for the mighty dollar. However, what makes these actors intriguing is their candidness in owning up to their money-driven choices.
Let’s not pass judgment on these actors for prioritizing financial gain. Imagine being a young Eddie Murphy, offered a million-dollar paycheck for just two weeks of work in a poorly received comedy. Who could resist that temptation? And Michael Caine, he couldn’t care less about what others think of his decision to star in Jaws 4; he’s too busy reveling in the luxurious house that his $1.5 million paycheck helped him acquire.
For these actors, it’s all about finding a balance between critically acclaimed films and blockbuster hits, adopting a clever “one for them, one for me” approach. Independent films may not provide the means to buy lavish mansions, but starring in Marvel movies certainly does.
1. Alec Guinness – ‘Star Wars’
Most modern American movie fans are only familiar with Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars. However, he was actually a highly acclaimed actor in British cinema history. He even won an Academy Award in 1957 for his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1959 for his contributions to the arts.
In 1977, a young and ambitious George Lucas approached Guinness for a role in Star Wars. In his biography, author Piers Paul Read revealed letters where Guinness referred to the movie as “fairy-tale rubbish.” However, he also mentioned that he might consider it if the money was right.
Well, the production did offer him the “proper money.” Guinness not only received a salary, but also 2.25% of the movie’s royalties. This must have brought him quite a fortune. However, despite the financial gain, he did not enjoy his time on the set of Star Wars. In a diary entry from 1976, he expressed regret for taking on the film. The dialogue was subpar and constantly changing, and he felt disconnected from the younger generation.
In summary, Alec Guinness had a long and esteemed career in British cinema, winning awards and receiving knighthood. Although he initially had reservations about Star Wars, the offer of a substantial sum convinced him to take on the role. However, he found the experience on set to be less than satisfying, mainly due to the poor dialogue and feeling out of touch with the younger cast and crew.
2. Michael Caine – ‘Jaws: The Revenge’
Sir Michael Caine, a versatile actor known for his roles as both heroes and villains, has graced the big screen in nearly every genre for over six decades. In 1987, he received his first Academy Award for his excellent performance in Woody Allen’s film, Hannah and Her Sisters. However, that same year, he also appeared in Jaws: The Revenge (also known as Jaws 4).
It’s hard to comprehend why such a respected actor would choose to be a part of a movie that turned out to be so terrible. Jaws: The Revenge holds the unfortunate distinction of achieving a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as one of the worst sequels in film history.
Caine himself confessed in his 1992 memoir, titled What’s It All About, that he only took on the role in the sequel for the money. He admitted, “I have never seen the film, but according to all accounts, it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”
Reportedly, the actor earned a staggering $1.5 million for just a week’s worth of work on the ill-fated film.
3. Paul Bettany – ‘Iron Man’
Most people are familiar with Paul Bettany from his roles in popular movies like A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code. However, many fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) might only recognize him by the sound of his voice. In the MCU, Bettany provided the voice for Tony Stark’s computer J.A.R.V.I.S. in several movies, including Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Later on, he also took on the physical role of Vision.
Interestingly, despite his significant voice work in numerous MCU films, Bettany confessed that he had no prior knowledge about these movies. He simply read his lines in the early scripts, as he admitted that superhero movies were just not his cup of tea.
In his own words, Bettany humorously described his experience, saying, “I feel like a pirate. This is robbery. I walk in, I say some lines on a piece of paper for two hours, and then they give me a bag of money and I leave and I go about my day.” He also expressed a slight sense of guilt, acknowledging that acting can often be exhausting with long hours, but in his case, he feels like he does nothing. Furthermore, he revealed that he has never actually watched any of these movies in which he played a part.
4. Gary Oldman – ‘RoboCop’
Gary Oldman has had a successful career playing memorable villains in movies like Léon: The Professional and True Romance. He even won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. However, not all of his films were purely artistic endeavors.
In the 2014 remake of RoboCop, Oldman took on the role of cyborg scientist Dennett Norton. Many critics questioned the need for a remake of the original 1987 film. When asked why he chose to be part of the project, Oldman didn’t hold back. He admitted, “Why am I in this movie? Money. I have to go with what the industry offers me.”
Despite his candidness, Oldman did have some positive things to say about the film. He praised the script for being intelligent and appreciated director José Padilha’s perspective.
5. Harrison Ford – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Star Wars fans, you might want to look away for a moment. We all know Harrison Ford as the sarcastic yet reluctantly heroic Han Solo from the original Star Wars trilogy. This iconic role catapulted Ford to immense fame during the 1980s and ’90s.
However, it seems that Ford doesn’t hold much sentimentality towards his glory days of battling Darth Vader and the Empire. In a 2015 interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the talk show host asked Ford if he felt emotional while wearing Han Solo’s wardrobe for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the highly anticipated seventh film in the blockbuster franchise.
To this, Ford gave a simple and straightforward response: “No, I got paid.”
6. Eddie Murphy – ‘Best Defense’
In the early 1980s, Eddie Murphy was the hottest star in town. He burst onto the scene with his incredible talent on Saturday Night Live and then struck gold with his first two movies, 48 Hrs. and Trading Places. It seemed like there was nothing he couldn’t do. However, many people tend to forget about his third film in 1984: Best Defense.
Originally, this comedy was meant to be a Dudley Moore film. Murphy wasn’t even supposed to be involved. But, unfortunately, the movie’s previews didn’t go over well. So, the studio executives had this brilliant idea. They thought, “Hey, Eddie Murphy is the hottest actor ever. Let’s throw a bunch of money at him, film some extra scenes, and stick them into the movie.”
At first, Murphy turned down the offer. But then Paramount decided to sweeten the deal. In his own words, he explained:
“Paramount really wanted me in the movie. They finally came back with an offer of a million dollars for just a couple weeks of work. Now, come on, can you really expect a 22-year-old to say no to a million dollars for two weeks of work?”
Unfortunately, even with Murphy’s incredible comedic skills, Best Defense was a complete flop. It tanked at the box office and was panned by critics.
7. Ben Affleck – ‘Paycheck’
An action movie directed by John Woo and adapted from a Philip K. Dick story? Sounds like a surefire hit, right? Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Ben Affleck in 2003 when he starred in the sci-fi action film Paycheck, which turned out to be a disappointing mess. It was also a tough time for Affleck, as he seemed to be struggling to find success in his movie choices. During the early 2000s, the Academy Award winner had a string of major flops, including Daredevil, Gigli, and Jersey Girl.
Amidst the promotion of Paycheck, Affleck appeared on Conan O’Brien’s show for an interview. O’Brien asked him why he decided to make Paycheck, to which Affleck replied, “The answer lies in the title.”
To add insult to injury, Affleck was later “honored” with the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor for his performance in Paycheck. He had previously received the same “honor” for his roles in Gigli and Daredevil. Fortunately, Affleck managed to turn things around in the 2010s. Not only did he start landing better roles, but he also showcased his talent as a director.
8. Stephen Dillane – ‘Game of Thrones’
Stephen Dillane, a Tony Award-winning stage actor with a Shakespearean background, has made a name for himself on both stage and screen. Notable film appearances include The Hours, Spy Game, and Darkest Hour.
Dillane took on a significant role in the early seasons of the popular HBO series Game of Thrones, portraying Stannis Baratheon, a character vying for the throne. In one particularly brutal scene, Stannis tragically sacrifices his own daughter by burning her alive, believing it will aid in his quest for power.
Interestingly, Dillane did not find Game of Thrones to his liking and openly admitted to not watching the show. He found it too intense and painful, stating, “It’s pretty brutal, I couldn’t watch much of that anyway. It’s hardcore. Too tough for me… It’s just too painful.”
Furthermore, Dillane revealed that he primarily took on the role of Stannis for financial reasons. He acknowledged the unique dynamics surrounding such projects and expressed his admiration for the series, saying, “Money is the main thing I got out of it. It’s an odd situation. There is a kind of etiquette around these things. I think it’s extraordinary. I am not dismissing it at all.”
9. Glenn Close – ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
Glenn Close, a renowned dramatic actor with an impressive filmography and seven Academy Award nominations, has decided to take on a role in a superhero movie for the paycheck. This decision may have raised some eyebrows at first, considering her previous serious roles in films like The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Wife.
The skepticism surrounding the news of Glenn Close joining the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy, a lesser-known comic book adaptation, was further intensified by the fact that she would be playing Nova Corps commander Nova Prime Irani Rael. It seemed odd to imagine Glenn Close in a superhero movie.
When questioned about her decision to accept the role, Glenn Close openly admitted that it was primarily for financial reasons. She explained that after working on two independent films and having a great time with talented actors, she saw the opportunity to take on the next generation of Marvel Comics/Disney and portray the chief police of the galaxy. By doing so, she would be able to financially support and pursue the smaller-budget productions that she truly loves.
In essence, Glenn Close’s venture into the world of Guardians of the Galaxy may be a departure from her usual serious roles, but it serves as a means for her to continue exploring her passion for acting in smaller films. This decision provides her with the financial stability to pursue projects that she finds fulfilling and enjoyable.
10. Laurence Olivier – ‘Inchon’
Sir Laurence Olivier, a well-known actor from the classic Old Hollywood era, is often associated with serious dramatic roles, particularly in Shakespearean adaptations such as Hamlet, Othello, and Richard III. However, throughout his six-decade-long career in show business, not all of his films were of the same caliber or enduring epic nature.
One unexpected addition to Olivier’s filmography is the 1981 Korean war movie Inchon, which was financed by cult leader Sun Myung Moon. At the time, Olivier was in his 70s and no longer at the height of his career, yet he agreed to play the role of General Douglas MacArthur in the film. It just goes to show that even British acting royalty can find themselves in a really, really bad movie, all for the sake of money.
In his book, The Complete Films of Laurence Olivier, author Jerry Vermilye shares Olivier’s candid reasoning for accepting Moon’s movie: “People ask me why I’m playing in this picture. The answer is simple. Money, dear boy… Nothing is beneath me if it pays well. I’ve earned the right to damn well grab whatever I can in the time I’ve got left.”
11. Jackie Chan – ‘Rush Hour’
In the 1980s, Jackie Chan was already a big movie star in Hong Kong. He skillfully combined his martial arts expertise with screwball comedy, making him a hit internationally. But it wasn’t until his role alongside Chris Tucker in the 1998 buddy cop action flick Rush Hour that American audiences truly got to see Chan’s talent.
Rush Hour was a massive hit, spawning two sequels and catapulting Chan to household name status. It also made him one of the wealthiest actors in the industry, with a reported net worth of around $400 million. However, surprisingly, Rush Hour is the movie Chan dislikes the most from his extensive filmography, which includes over 100 acting credits.
During a 2012 interview, Chan revealed that the sole reason he made Rush Hour was for the money:
“Unlike other films where I have something to say, Rush Hour didn’t have a reason [for making it]. You just give me the money, and I’m fine. Ironically, Rush Hour is the one I dislike the most, but it sold really well in the U.S. and Europe.”
