Ridley Scott reshoot: Reports reveal $1.5m gender pay gap
Jan Tomes
January 10, 2018
Actress Michelle Williams was reportedly paid only 1% of what her male co-star Mark Wahlberg obtained for reshooting scenes of Ridley Scott's "All the Money in the World," following the Kevin Spacey scandal.
For the reshoot of scenes that previously included Kevin Spacey in Ridley Scott's "All the Money in the World," Michelle Williams was allegedly paid $80 per diem, totaling less than $1,000 (€837) for her work, while her male colleague Mark Wahlberg obtained a $1.5-million bonus, according to a report by American newspaper USA Today, which quotes "people familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly."
Director Ridley Scott had previously revealed that the reshoot had cost $10 million (€8.37 million) and that he and all actors had agreed to film the scenes a second time without being paid.
Kevin Spacey (left) was replaced by Christopher Plummer in "All The Money in the World"Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo
Williams and Wahlberg represented by same agency
Michelle Williams is part of the Time's Up initiative launched by Hollywood women to combat widespread sexual harassment across the US.
She had said in a previous USA Today interview that she gladly agreed to volunteer for the reshoot because she "appreciated so much that they [Scott's production team] were making this massive effort" to react to allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey.
She was, however, apparently not informed that her male co-star's manager and agency WME had renegotiated a heavy reshoot fee. Wahlberg and his agents "have a reputation in Hollywood for driving a tough bargain," noted The Washington Post after previously reporting on his bonus.
Williams and Wahlberg are represented by the same agency, William Morris Endeavor. Williams has a lead role in the movie, while Wahlberg is a supporting actor.
'This is how the business works'
Melissa Silverstein, founder and publisher of the Women and Hollywood website, denounced the situation before it was picked up by USA Today.
Although Wahlberg and Williams haven't reacted to the reports yet, other Hollywood personalities including actress Jessica Chastain and producer Judd Apatow have posted their reactions on Twitter.
Popular cultural critic Ira Madison III wrote in one Tweet, "Honestly the real story is that Wahlberg didn't mind making money off the Spacey scandal," adding in a second one that donating that money would be to his advantage:
Ridley Scott's cult films
British director Ridley Scott is a master of Hollywood cinema. His latest movie "All the Money in the World" is now coming to the cinemas.
Image: kpa/picture-alliance
Recast: "All the Money in the World"
After the American actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of abusing him three decades ago, Ridley Scott cut all of Spacey's scenes in "All the Money in the World" in November and had him recast with the Canadian actor Christopher Plummer. The unprecedented move did not jeopardize the December premiere of the movie and both Plummer's appearance and the crime drama have received good reviews.
Image: Giles Keyte/AP Photo/picture alliance
A good eye: Ridley Scott
His films burst with visual power and opulence, and even his more minor films boast stunning cinematography. In his best works, visual style and narrative depth complement each other perfectly. Ridley Scott, born in 1937, is an image magician — and has given modern cinema some unforgettable moments. He is pictured here on the set of "Black Rain" (1989).
Image: kpa/picture-alliance
Debut with historical drama: "The Duellists"
In 1977 Scott was 40 years old and making television shows and ads, so no one expected that he'd become one of the most sought-after directors in world cinema. But his feature film debut that year, "The Duellists," the story of two officers during the reign of Napoleon, showcased Scott's special talent: sumptuous images, a distinct visual style and cinema for all the senses.
Image: Courtesy Everett Collection/imago images
Shock on the big screen: "Alien"
The film to follow went to a whole new level: "Alien" was remarkable in for its perfect combination of science-fiction and horror, complete with breathless suspense, bold cinematography and Oscar-winning special effects. For the first time, a woman (Sigourney Weaver) was the lead in an action movie. "Alien" went on to inspire a new generation of sci-fi thrillers.
Ridley Scott went one better with the 1982 dystopian sci-fi film "Blade Runner," which featured more fantastic visuals and unique neo-noir atmospherics. Harrison Ford entered cinema history in his role as a replicant-hunter, and few films have inspired so many imitators — a sequel was also released in 2017. The original "Blade Runner" remains one of the greatest cult films of all time.
Image: Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection/picture alliance
Girl power: 'Thelma & Louise'
After excursions into fantasy, action and thriller, Scott landed another coup in 1991 with "Thelma & Louise." The story of two very different friends who just want to escape their dreary everyday lives becomes a wild road movie stretching across America. It was another film with strong cinematography and a quirky story that also featured Brad Pitt in a breakout role.
Image: picture alliance/kpa
Ancient epic: "Gladiator"
Almost a decade later, Scott's next major international success came with "Gladiator," a grand Roman Empire epic. The blood and swords action drama won five Oscars (including Best Actor for Russell Crowe, who played the revengeful Roman general turned gladiator) and a nomination for Scott. It was another work with a compelling narrative and brilliant cinematography.
Image: Dreamworks/Mary Evans Achive/IMAGO
First war film: "Black Hawk Down"
Following his trip to antiquity, the following year Scott released his first war film, "Black Hawk Down" (2001), and proved he was able to create breathless tension in yet another genre. Tracing an episode involving US soldiers during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, the film also created controversy for its "airbrushed" depiction of American military involvement in a civil war.
Image: Scott Free Productions/Mary Evans Achive/IMAGO
Diabolical: "Hannibal"
Scott's next project was the sequel to the worldwide hit, "The Silence of the Lambs." The serial killer Hannibal Lecter was in good hands with Scott, who pulled out all the stops in his return to the horror suspense genre. Nevertheless, Scott struggled to replicate the massive success of the original Hannibal movie, and the 2001 film is today regarded as one of his minor works.
Image: MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection/IMAGO
Bullseye: "Robin Hood
Scott took another trip into history with his 2010 action film "Robin Hood," a potent re-imagining of the legendary story of the do-gooder who helps the poor. "Grown-up but not too serious; action-packed but not juvenile…[it's] the Robin Hood movie we’ve been waiting decades for, it's also Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe at their most entertaining since 'Gladiator,'" said one critic.
Image: imago images/ZUMA Wire
Well staffed: "The Counselor"
Ridley Scott belongs to the handful of very powerful Hollywood directors who can freely choose their subjects and actors. So it proved with the A-list cast — Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt — assembled for the British director's 2013 drug thriller "The Counselor." Top stars want to work with Scott. The film received a mixed response, however.
