14 Times When Actors Took On Famous Roles Specifically For The Money
Production houses often put the name of a big celebrity attached to their projects. This actually helps the project in a big way as the fans of that celebrity would rush to see the project just on the basis of this association. It is not surprising considering this helps with making the movie earn some money even though the project might not be very good. At the same time, often celebrities take on certain roles because it pays well. This doesn’t actually mean that they are bad but it’s the circumstance that forces them to do such projects. Let’s take a look at some instances when actors took on famous roles just for the sake of the massive pay.
Glenn Close – Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The actress revealed,
I’m doing GOTG because it will then afford me to go do the other kind of movies that I really love, and hopefully I will have a great time on Guardians of the Galaxy too.
Henry Cavill – Man of Steel (2013)
The Superman star has openly claimed that heroes and superhero movies fetch him a lot of dough. According to him:
The money’s fantastic and that’s something which I deem-and again, it is frowned upon – very important.
Tim Roth – United Passions (2014)
Tim Roth took a role in one of the worst movies because according to him,
I had two kids in college so I had to make a decision and it was probably poorly judged, but once you make that decision you have to follow through.
Sir Michael Caine – Jaws IV (1987)
The actor doesn’t like the fact that he is associated with the movie and he has said,
I have never seen the film, but by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.
Jackie Chan – Rush Hour (1998)
Even though it ended up being one of the most popular action movie franchises, Jackie Chan stated about appearing in the movie,
There was no reason [in making it], you just give me the money and I’m fine. I dislike Rush Hour the most, but ironically it sold really well in the U.S. and Europe.
Stephen Dillane – Game of Thrones (2012)
The actor stated,
It’s pretty brutal. I couldn’t watch much of that anyway. It’s hardcore. Too tough for me. Money is the main thing I got out of it.
Daniel Craig – James Bond (2015)
Craig has hinted at retiring from the role of James Bond multiple times and even said,
I’m not in discussion with anybody about anything. If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money.
Morgan Freeman – London Has Fallen (2016)
While promoting the movie, the actor clearly stated that it’s hardly ever that a studio comes to him and offers him that much money for a project and that’s why he took the role.
Richard Dreyfuss – Red (2010)
The Academy Award-winning actor is quite honest about his role as the villain in RED. He has said,
I did it for money and to work with this group of folks. I’m nothing if not honest.
Will Ferrell – Anchorman 2 (2013)
The comedian and actor when in talks about making the sequel stated,
We don’t think we can make it as good. It would be really fun to do, so we might just try to make the craziest sequel you’ve ever seen. It could be terrible, but if they’re going to pay us to do it, then why not, right?
Sir Laurence Olivier – Inchon (1981)
The respected actor was quite honest about being in the movie. He openly stated,
I’ve earned the right to damn well grab whatever I can get in the time I’ve got left.
Amanda Seyfried – Letters to Juliet (2010)
Seyfried was quite clear about the reasoning for her role. She said,
Sometimes, when you want to buy an apartment in Manhattan, you gotta do one or two, I won’t say Letters To Juliet didn’t get me an apartment.
Ellen Pompeo – Grey’s Anatomy (2005)
Pompey was brutally honest about continuing to appear in the multiple seasons of the series. She said,
I made a decision to make money, and not chase creative acting roles.
Alec Guinness – Star Wars (1983)
Alec Guinness only agreed to take on the role in the massive franchise because of the paycheck. He said,
Apart from the money, I regret having embarked on the film. I like them well enough, but it’s not an acting job, the dialogue which is lamentable.
So these were the times when actors took on famous roles just for a big fat pay cheque.
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