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
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.