Well, maybe he is, but maybe only as Capt. Jack Sparrow. I’m not sure that’s how much he’ll actually earn for starring in a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie (this report from the UK’s Daily Mail should be taken with at least a tablespoon of salt), but if it’s true, that would be the highest upfront payment in movie history. (As Slashfilm notes, the highest-paid movie actor ever was Keanu Reeves, who earned a total of $194 million for the two Matrix sequels, though most of that money was his percentage of the profits, not a flat fee upfront.) I’m not sure any actor is worth $56 million. It seems almost criminal to spend that much money before even a single foot of film is shot. (Remember how big a deal it was just 12 years ago when Jim Carrey broke the $20 million barrier for The Cable Guy? How quaint that seems now.) But a Pirates sequel, while it would probably suck even worse than the last two, would be an almost guaranteed monster hit, as long as Depp is on board in his signature role, a role no one else could play. Such a film would likely make at least half a million dollars worldwide in theaters and probably a similar amount on DVD. By that reckoning, $56 million for Depp would be a bargain. So, then, I’ll see you all in line at the multiplex for Pirates 4: Jack Sparrow Bails Out Wall Street.
More on star salaries:
Forbes‘ 2008 list of Most Overpaid Stars
EW examines the box office worth of Hollywood’s biggest stars
Jim Carrey’s Cable Guy payday opens the floodgates for windfall movie salaries
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Considering I LOATHED the third film (I like to pretend the two sequels don’t exist, if only because the first was SO good), but I WILL see the fourth film, opening day, if it’s called that. hahahahahaha, Well played, Mr. Susman, well played.
Do you mean half a billion? Half a million worldwide would make this movie a disaster
I’ve never given a crap about any of these Pirates movies, but doesn’t it seem criminal to anyone else that we as a country are having trouble paying our mortgages, health insurance, heating bills, gas, etc, etc, and Johnny is raking in $56 millions for ONE PROJECT? It turns my stomach, frankly.
He’s a great actor, I’ve always thought so, but I don’t think he’s worth THAT much. I don’t think ANY actor is worth that much.
This is ridiculous. The world is falling apart, but let’s pay someone THiS MUCH MONEY FOR A mOVIE? come on. it’s gotten way too out of control. movies are way too expensive for a family of four to even see now. I’d like to see the prices come down and things even out more.
NO ONE deserves to make that much money for ANYTHING.
I agree with vw- no one should make 56 mil for anything, but least of all for making a freaking movie! I think it’s obscene that celebrities make so much money while the average man (or woman) on the street is living paycheck to paycheck (if they are lucky enough to even have a job right now!). Talk about screwed-up priorities!
I hope he makes that much…he is the one that made that franchise a huge hit and trust Disney is making BILLIONS of $$$ off all this. You have to remember the money made at the theatre is only a small portion the company makes off the movie, when u include merchandise, theme park addmisions, and DVDs….he is will worth half a billion $ for one movie!
I don’t have a problem that AAA actors/acresses are compensated a few mil if they can open a big picture, but this is where I have to draw the line. $56 million for one movie (as opposed to a decade long, multi-year contract) is freaking overkill. With our economy in shambles, more of that needs to be spread out to the hundreds of behind-the-scenes staff (and even less financially stable actors). Under ten mil? That’s understandable. This? Un uh.
Not sure why people are moaning about how much Depp will make by harping on about the world economy what has that got to do with it, yeah because if you were offered it you would all turn it down NOT. If a company like Disney want to pay him that don’t complain about Depp complain about Disney.
I also have a problem with athletes and CEOs making this much money. And the reason it makes me angry is the growing chasm between the “haves” and “have nots” in this country. It’s really a serious problem, take a look at the statistics. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer…
It doesn’t seem like that big a deal to me. I mean yes it is a lot of money but the last Pirates movie made 960 million dollars worldwide. 56 Million is only around 6% of that and I think it is safe to say Depp is responsible for more than 6% of the movies success. Yes it is huge how much he makes when people are out of work, but these are the same people that buy tickets for his movies, so whose fault is it?
Plus by giving Depp the upfront fee they might actually be saving money. I mean if they were to give him say 10% of the worldwide gross, based on how much “At World’s End” made that would be almost 100 million.
Worth it or not, Depp’s irreplaceable the studio has to pay whatever he’s asking or risk destroying the series even more than At World’s End did.
Johnny Depp is one of the most amazing actors of all time and personally, I think he deserves every penny.
Smart move for Depp to take the money up front. With the economy spiraling downward no one will be buying movie tickets any more…budgets are going to get slashed and entertainment dollars will be the first to go.
Half a million worldwide? In that case, I do think that 56 million might be overpaying him.
I feel like it’s too much money. but if someone is willing to pay that much, than they will. It is true that he’s helped make Disney TONNNNSSSS of money. Pirate merch is a staple now where it wasn’t that big before. It still does huge sales and will continue to do so in the future. So you can clearly see Disney’s angle on it. Lock the dude up, make him want to stay with disney movies, etc.
That being said, it’s a huge amount. too much. but i wouldn’t turn it down if they offered it to me. hell i wouldn’t turn a supporting part with little to no pay down if they offered it to me.
Regarding the 4th movie though. I actually think it will be much better than the two sequels. I think they realize that the two weren’t as good as the first and would look to bring back the mood and tone set in the first movie, which was excellent. I don’t know why, but I do kind of trust that they would do that.
Actually 56 million dollars is a simple budget for an extraordinary actor as johnny depp .. Guys .. ” The most important thing that matters is the ending and johnny’s ending is always perfect .. johnny Depp is simply magnificent ladies and gentlmen
I’m pretty sure he meant half a billion.
I think Johhny Depp is amazing-I call it “the genius of of Johnny Depp”. I love his work and I loved all 3 of Pirates-can’t wait to see #4! I have been following his work since Jump Street and I look forward to anything he does. He is the most artistic and talented actor of our times as well as being very good looking. I love his whit and his humor and the way he creates his own charactors-trully an amazing actor. I would love to meet him but probably never happen. Go for it Johhny!
The “Curse of the Black Pearl” made $305 million at the North American box office and an additional $348 million overseas. These $348 million are the clear money that were brought to US economy thanks to that only movie, and these money would not be in the US otherwise. Depp was paid $10 million for that first movie, which is only about 1.5% of this huge earnings, and it is certainly safe to say he is responsible for more than 1.5% of the movie success. Would not it be a simple justice if they compensate him somehow at least with the payment for the fourth installment?
I do not speak about his other movies which brought not less money to US.
I think – don’t be greedy and thank people that really help the economy in what seems to be quite an effective way to help. Try to bring that money to US yourself – I am sure you will be paid not less.
The “Curse of the Black Pearl” made $305 million at the North American box office and an additional $348 million overseas. These $348 million are the clear money that were brought to US economy thanks to that only movie, and these money would not be in the US otherwise. Depp was paid $10 million for that first movie, which is only about 1.5% of this huge earnings, and it is certainly safe to say he is responsible for more than 1.5% of the movie success. Would not it be a simple justice if they compensate him somehow at least with the payment for the fourth installment?
I do not speak about his other movies which brought not less money to US.
I think – don’t be greedy and thank people that really help the economy in what seems to be quite an effective way to help. Try to bring that money to US yourself – I am sure you will be paid not less.
Without knowing what His Deppness is going to do with the money, it’s silly to complain and moan about it. How many people are on HIS payroll? How many charitable acts does he finance? Frankly, it’s none of our business WHAT he gets paid. All we should care about is if he does a good job acting. Did you enjoy the movie? That’s all that’s necessary.
If disney expect to get a big pie of money from a movie which can only succeed because of Depp’s character, why are people complaining that Depp is getting a reasonable slice of that big pie? Do you think Disney should get most of it? The way you slice it doesn’t change the size of the pie. Or are you really saying that a movie shouldn’t be allowed to be so popular as to make so much money?
Nobody is worth that much–I don’t care who they are. I really do think actors should only get percentages of their film’s proceeds. Maybe 10%. That way they get as much as we–the viewers–want them to.
and if the last movie made $600 mil worldwide, then he deserves $60 mil.
If a tv newtork exec is reading this, please commission to pay Depp 100 million dollars a year to return to revive 21 Jump Street on tv. If they can bring back Shannon Doherty as Brenda and revive 90210 then bring back Officer Hanson. Hey a big film star Keifer Sutherland made 24 work, why can’t Depp come back to tv? Well, only in my dreams, because Depp despised his time on Jump Street with Stephen Cannell. with $100 million yearly salary, screwy, whimiscal, demented plot line for the return of Officer Hanson, and Tim Burton serving as Exec Producer, head writer, perhaps he can be persuaded to return back to tv? hmmm, NOT. LOL!
MsDaisy, I wouldn’t worry too much about the movie biz taking a big hit in times of economic trouble. From what I understand industries like that usually do fairly well in times like that because people go to the movies for a cheap escape from their lives. From what I remember during the depression movie ticket sales were really good.
t3hdow, in regards to the behind the scenes staff, most of them are already paid very handsomely for their work and a lot of them even get a movie credit. On the flip side no one went to the last Pirates movie because of who the electrician was. Plus these people assume no risk if the movie fails. If you are a lighting person you just go on to your next job. But if you are the star and the movie tanks it can hurt your career permanently. I mean look at Tom Cruise, MI3 underperforming really hurt his career.
Of course he is, because it will make a ton of money, which is what this is all about. I know I’ll be there to watch it, even though I hated the last one………
I personally believe the majority of stars in Hollywood are overpaid. I think that there are a few celebrities that are worth big bucks like this, and one of them is Johnny Depp. At least the guy can act and carry a film! Not to mention, they know this movie will make all that money they paid him back in box office sales…. movie attendance at this film is pretty much guaranteed.
Now, if it were Jessica Alba making this much to carry a film, that would be a different story….