Earlier today, we reported that Disney’s highly-anticipated live-action adaptation ofBeauty and the Beastis on track for a huge opening weekend, with aThursday previewgross of $16.3 million, the third highest Thursday tally ever for the month of March. While early projections had the movie earning upwards of $120 million during its opening weekend, some have it earning as much as $155 million when all is said and done. As the movie opens nationwide today, a new report claims that Disney may not have paid starEmma Watsonas much as they should, for a movie of this caliber.
The Hollywood Reporterreveals thatBeauty and the BeaststarEmma Watsonwas only paid $3 million up front for playing Belle, although this report claims she could earn much more if the film is as big of a hit as expected. Sources claim her payday could rise to $15 million, if the box office take is similar to another fairy tale adventure, the studio’s 2014 hitMaleficent. That movie, which starredAngelina Jolieas the title character, opened at $69.4 million, en route to $241.4 million domestic and $758.5 million worldwide, from a $180 million budget.
Ironically,Angelina Jolieis one of the few stars who Disney did shell out the big bucks for, paying her $20 million up front plus more in profit participation for starring inMaleficent, but the studio has reportedly been notoriously thrifty as of late, with some claiming that they’re as “cheap” as the penny-pinching Marvel Studios, which Disney owns. The studio was eyeingWill Smithto star in their upcomingDumboreboot, but the star walked away when the studio wouldn’t pay him the $20 million he was asking for. He ultimately went on to star in Netflix’sBright, where he got the $20 million he was looking for. Here’s what an unnamed agent, who has a client who starred in one of Disney’s live-actionfairy tale adaptations, had to say about Disney.
“If it’s the right vehicle for the right star, they can be great. But Disney also has the luxury to not have to put a star in there.”
An unidentified lawyer also added that the studio is “cheap with everyone,” with the site reporting thatBeauty and the BeaststarDan Stevenswas denied a car rental upgrade to accommodate his two children.CinderellastarLily Jamesreceived similar treatment when the studio refused to pay for her mother to sit in first class with her on a flight. Here’s what an unidentified producer had to say about the studio’s thrifty ways.
“The IP is the star of the movie. If you hiredJennifer LawrenceasBelle, would it really make a difference in the opening ofBeauty and the Beast? Unlikely.”
Emma Watsonreportedly earned a whopping $60 million combined for starring in all eightHarry Pottermovies, although she has been unable to command a similar price since then. IfBeauty and the Beastopens as big as expected, it could very well put the actress back on track to command huge paydays once again. We’ll have to wait and see if the success ofBeauty and the Beastcould get Disney to end their penny-pinching ways, although that seems unlikely.
