Pitt also was a producer on the film, which went on to earn six Oscar nominations, including two for Pitt, one for acting and one for producing the Best Picture nominee. 'I was paid less than 2% of Brad Pitt's salary' says Benjamin Button star in pay gap shock EMPIRE star Taraji P Henson has revealed her shocking pay gap experience on Brad Pitt's The . "I understand, but its when others go, Yes, strong Black woman! and then it dismisses us Then if my child or somebody I know is gunned down in the streets, Im supposed to be strong through that? Actor starred alongside Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in the movie, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in. Unfortunately, Henson says interest in her vanished quickly and she lost a number of juicyrolesto white actresses. Cate Blanchett is a highly regarded Australian actress who has a net worth of $95 million. Mini Bio (1) William Bradley "Brad" Pitt was born on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma and raised in Springfield, Missouri to Jane Etta Pitt (ne Hillhouse), a school counselor & William Alvin "Bill" Pitt, a truck company manager. Paramount Pictures/Warner Bros Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock. Does that make sense to you? The 225 Best Horror Movies of All Time She admits he was right to leave; she could not have coped otherwise. Henson had to settle for $150,000 for a role that would end up earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. I convinced them to add in a little more, but thats as high as theyd go., There was one other thing: Id have to agree to pay my own location fees while filming in New Orleans, meaning three months of hotel expenses would be coming directly out of my pocket. Lolita Banana discovered drag in 2018 while salsa dancing at a campsite in France. Ad Choices, Taraji P. Henson's Benjamin Button Salary Was Less Than 2 Percent of Brad Pitt's. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! I would have loved it. Ultimately, Henson took the role because she felt there were so few parts with weight for black actors at the time. Now of comparable physical age, they fall in love. An actor's wages often depend less on how much screen time they have or how prominent a role they play, and more on their "star value" and negotiating skills. Actress Taraji P. Henson is continuing to talk about her paycheck from the 2008 film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.". Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en consultant vos paramtres de vie prive. Im not allowed to feel that? Brad Pitt had a small but fun role in the 2022 Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum romantic comedy adventure movie The Lost City. She says her salary was dwarfed in comparison to the millions Pitt and leading lady Cate Blanchett were paid for their roles. For Benjamin Button, New Orleans, Louisiana and the surrounding area was chosen as the filming location for the story to take advantage of the state's production incentives, and shooting was slated to begin in October 2006. Henson's story is despicable, but, unfortunately, not that surprising. "[43] Derek Malcolm of London's Evening Standard felt that "never at any point do you feel that there's anything more to it than a very strange story traversed by a film-maker who knows what he is doing but not always why he is doing it."[44]. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. He typically earns at least $20 million for his acting alone, sometimes with points on the backend that entitle him to a portion of the movies profits. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. [8] In May 2004, director David Fincher entered negotiations to replace Ross in directing the film.[9]. But if Im working with someone whos my partner and we are equal, and you want to pay him more than me, I have a problem. I understand why we took that on, Black women being the bottom of the totem pole, never being seen," she said. However, she said that has led to her being labelled with the strong Black woman stereotype. [13] By filming in Louisiana and taking advantage of the state's film incentive, the production received $27 million, which was used to finance a significant portion of the film's $167 million budget. "I didn't get mad at Sony," Lawrence wrote. In August 2005, Daisy Fuller is on her deathbed in a New Orleans hospital as Hurricane Katrina approaches. The actress told Variety she expected there to be a pay negotiation . Mike volunteers the Chelsea for U.S. Navy service, and they are assigned to salvage duties. Caretaker Queenie and cook Mr. Tizzy Weathers find the baby, and she raises him as her own, naming him Benjamin. Taraji P. Henson is one of the most in-demand actors thanks to her critically acclaimed portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the FOX musical drama Empire. We can assume it was most likely in the range of $20 million, . The actor's new memoir makes some bold claims about the way black actors are treated in Hollywood. All they could muster upon a $167 million budgetwas a salary in the "lowest of six figures." If I work with Brad [Pitt] again, Im still not going to ask for what hes getting. The pay gap in Hollywood has been a hot topic in recent years, but also a difficult one to pin down since there are so many factors involved. However, not only was Henson paid less than 2% of Pitt's salary, she also hadto pay for her own accommodation while the film shoton location. Aging in reverse, he eventually transitions from a wheelchair to crutches and learns to walk. Taraji P. Henson Opens Up About Being Paid Less Than Brad Pitt For 'Benjamin Button'. The film was a box office success, grossing $335.8 million worldwide against its $167 million budget. Related: Taraji P. Henson Gets a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Source: Around the Way Girl (via The Guardian), Hannah has been with Screen Rant since 2013, covering news, features, movie premieres, Comic-Con and more! Now married, Daisy introduces him as a family friend to her husband Robert and Caroline. Principal photography began in November 2006 and wrapped up in September 2007. At Kickapoo High School, Pitt was involved in sports, debating, student government and school musicals. In January 2007, Blanchett joined the shoot. She was also listed as the third principal actor in the movie, after Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The Night of 12 won ! In terms of the basic requirements of three-reel drama the film lacks substance, credibility, a decent script and characters you might actually care for. ", She added: Alas, that request was dead on arrival. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. By summer 1994, Maryland Film Office chief Jack Gerbes was approached with the possibility of making the film in Baltimore. Taraji P. Henson won Best Actress at the BET Awards for her role in the film combined with two other performances in Not Easily Broken, and The Family That Preys. Related Posts Inside Princess Anne's party barn at home she shares with Zara All of the pets Katie Price has lost over the years as latest There's no denying that Brad Pitt is one of the most famous movie stars ever, and Brad Pitt's net worth reflects decades of work in and out of Hollywood. Pitt and Jolie share six children, three biological and three adopted. They find a near sunken U.S. transport and thousands of dead American troops. He opens films so give him his money., But now that I can open films, give me my money, Henson continued, Ive proven it. [11] The following October, with production yet to begin, Julia Ormond was cast as Daisy's daughter, to whom Blanchett's character tells the story of her love for Benjamin Button. The fact that Henson had to pay her way through filming Benjamin Buttonwhile I'm assuming Pitt and Blanchett did notis beyond screwed up. I have a problem, and I will speak up. One particular excerpt details Henson's stomach-churning salary negotiations for her work in 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. However, despite the fact that she was also a superstar and even had an Oscar to her name, his future wife Angelina Jolie pulled in half that salary at $10 million. ", Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies, Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brad Pitt currently has a net worth of a whopping $300 million. Taraji P. Henson made headlines in October 2016 after revealing she made the equivalent of soft change compared to the millions co-stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett earned on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson said at the time she had to settle for a salary in the low six figure range, but in a new interview with Variety the actress revealed the shockingly low number: $150,000. Empire actor Taraji P. Henson has made claims that she was paid just 2 percent of what her co-star Brad Pitt earned on the Oscar-nominated The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Benjamin visits terminally-ill Thomas and learns the details of his birth and family. Here is everything youve ever wondered about Brad Pitts net worth. Their affair eventually ends, leaving Benjamin heartbroken. Duncan, Jody (January, 2009) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (soundtrack), Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)", "States' Film Production Incentives Cause Jitters", "Amid 'Transformers 3' filming, tax incentives come under scrutiny", "F. Scott Fitzgerald Gets a Second Act After All", "Ormond Joins Fincher's 'Benjamin Button', "Digital Replicas May Change Face of Films", "Alexandre Desplat scores David Fincher's 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', "Release dates for 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', "CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, THE (2008) A-", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Moviemaking at its best", "Film Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)", "Film review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Sunday Times Review", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Times Review", "The 81st Academy Awards (2009) Nominees and Winners", "2008 Austin Film Critics Association Awards", "Broadcast critics favor 'Milk,' 'Button', "Kristen Stewart, Angelina Jolie Lead The Pack For Best Female Performance", "2008 St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards", "Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2009", The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film), Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Picture, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Picture, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_(film)&oldid=1140319544, Films based on works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Films shot in the United States Virgin Islands, Films that won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, Films that won the Best Visual Effects Academy Award, Films whose art director won the Best Art Direction Academy Award, Cultural depictions of Theodore Roosevelt, Films about motherdaughter relationships, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture, Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture, Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture, Peter Donald Badalamenti II as Benjamin Button (apparent adult), Charles Henry Wyson as Benjamin Button (apparent age 6), This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 15:03. Empireis ratings gold and Henson has racked up numerous nominations and wins for her role as Cookie Lyon. (The film, also starring Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt, earned Henson an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Most of the crew perishes except for Benjamin and Rick Brody, who are rescued the following day. That December, the United States enters World War II. "Alas, that request was dead on arrival," the actor continues. While the film had a budget of $167 million and grossed $335.8 million, Henson made very little for her contribution. She explained that, after paying her team, she took home $40,000 for her role in the box office hit that grossed over $335.8m (237m) worldwide. "[32] Peter Howell of The Toronto Star says: "It's been said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Queenie dies, and Benjamin and Daisy move in together. We do know that Pitts episode was the subject of some controversy due to the insensitive handling of some of its subject matter. "This is exactly how a studio can get away with paying the person whos name is third on the call sheet of a big-budget film less than 2% what its paying the person whose name is listed first. We can assume it was most likely in the range of $20 million, . But things weren't always so great for Henson. It was also nominated in ten other categories: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Achievement in Costume Design, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score, and Best Achievement in Sound Mixing. When I was doing Benjamin Button, I wasnt worth a million yet. [10] In September 2006, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng and Taraji P. Henson entered negotiations to be cast into the film. Alas, that request was dead on arrival. [21], The score to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was written by French composer Alexandre Desplat, who recorded his score with an 87-piece ensemble of the Hollywood Studio Symphony at the Sony Scoring Stage.[22]. In 1962, Daisy returns to New Orleans and reunites with Benjamin. How much did Brad Pitt get paid for Benjamin Button? With bated breath, I sat by the phone for hours, waiting for Vince [her manager] to call and tell me the number that I thought would make me feel good: somewhere in the mid six figuresno doubt a mere percentage of what Brad was bringing home to Angelina and their beautiful babies, but something worthy of a solid up-and-coming actress with a decent amount of critical acclaim for her work. But Henson paid her dues for nearly 20 years in Hollywood before getting the pay she deserved. "It was a meaty gig. How much did Brad Pitt get paid for Benjamin Button? Henson says she pocked just $40k but was later paid millions by Tyler Perry. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an anodyne Hollywood film that offers a safe and sanitised view of life and death. Cmon Hollywood! In 1967, Daisy, who has opened a ballet studio, tells Benjamin that she is pregnant. The film also stars Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, and Tilda Swinton. "[28] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 37 reviews. This is exactly how a studio can get away with paying the person whos name is third on the call sheet of a big-budget film less than 2% what its paying the person whose name is listed first. Meanwhile Pitt is starring in Robert Zemeckis WW2 romantic thriller, Allied. We thought we were asking for what was fair for me, at the time., Related The amount that Brad Pitt earns a year can vary depending on the number of projects he takes on both as an actor and as a producer. Producer Ray Stark bought the film rights to do the short story in the mid-1980s with Universal Pictures backing the film, but struggled to get the project off the ground until he sold the rights to producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in the 1990s. The movie was filmed in New Orleans where Henson stayed for three months in a hotel suite. How much did Brad Pitt get paid for Benjamin Button? I was just asking for half a million thats all. It is not known exactly how much Brad Pitt was paid for his leading role in 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a role which earned Pitt an Oscar nomination. Between August 2017 . We can assume it was most likely in the range of $20 million, as that is Pitt's usual asking price. And they gave me $100,000. Or almost. But I cant go up against Brad. The film received thirteen Academy Award nominations, the most of the 81st Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Fincher, Best Actor for Pitt, and Best Supporting Actress for Taraji P. Henson, and won three, for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects. With five Caesars, Dominik Moll's unsolved feminicide won everything at the ceremony on Friday evening. Aglow in the wonderment of time, the film captures the poetry and pain of life with such originality that audiences may not want to awake from the dream the film casts upon them. Back in 2005, having finally revealed that Benjamin is Caroline's father, Daisy dies. Leading lady Bullock was able to earn the highest salary at $10 million, good for her! According to Paris Match and People Magazine, Pitt made Ins fly to Paris separately (weird) and then they went to dinner at Fouquet's on the Champs-lyses. Millions by Tyler Perry nominations and wins for her role as Cookie Lyon of the perishes... 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