"The Lord of the Rings": More Than Just Epic Cinema?
"The Lord of the Rings" is often celebrated as one of the most successful film franchises ever, raking in a staggering $2.9 billion worldwide. Yet, despite its astronomical box office success, Cate Blanchett revealed an intriguing detail that might surprise fans: the actors didn't necessarily strike gold from their roles in Peter Jackson's legendary trilogy.
During a lively appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Blanchett was asked about the film that earned her the biggest paycheck. Cohen's guess? "I think it's probably ‘Lord of the Rings.'”
Blanchett's response was both candid and surprising. "Are you kidding me?" she exclaimed. "No, no one got paid anything to do that movie." When Cohen probed further, asking if she received a share of the backend profits, Blanchett was quick to clarify, "No! That was way before any of that. No, nothing." It seems that despite the massive financial success of the franchise, the compensation for the actors didn't quite reflect that windfall.
In a charming moment of nostalgia, Blanchett mentioned her motivation for joining the project. "I wanted to work with the guy who made ‘Braindead,'" she shared, referring to Jackson’s 1992 zombie comedy, which was known as "Dead Alive" in North America. This little tidbit highlights the deep respect and admiration Blanchett had for Jackson's earlier work, demonstrating that her commitment to "The Lord of the Rings" went beyond mere financial incentives.
Blanchett's role as Galadriel, the regal elf with formidable magical powers, was a standout performance in the trilogy. Her portrayal of the elven queen was so compelling that she reprised the role in Jackson’s "Hobbit" film series, a prequel to the original trilogy. Despite the magical allure of Middle-Earth and the iconic status of her character, Blanchett humorously downplayed her compensation, stating, "I basically got free sandwiches, and I got to keep my [elf] ears." It’s a testament to her humility and dedication to the craft, even when the financial rewards were not as grand as one might expect.
Blanchett's comment also touched on a broader issue in Hollywood. "Women don't get paid much as you think they do," she said, bringing attention to the ongoing gender pay gap in the film industry. Her candid remark underscores a larger conversation about fair compensation and equality for women in entertainment.
Blanchett was on Watch What Happens Live to promote her latest project, the sci-fi film "Borderlands," which is hitting theaters this Friday. In this new film, based on the popular video game series of the same name, Blanchett plays Lilith, a rugged outlaw who returns to her home planet of Pandora. Her character is hired by the weapons manufacturer Atlas, played by Édgar Ramírez, to locate his missing daughter. The film promises an exciting mix of action and adventure, with a star-studded cast that includes Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Jack Black, and Gina Gershon as Mad Moxxi.
"Borderlands" is generating buzz for its dynamic cast and high-energy plot, and Blanchett’s performance as Lilith is already creating a lot of excitement among fans. It’s clear that while "The Lord of the Rings" might have been a financial disappointment for some of its stars, Blanchett’s career continues to thrive with intriguing and diverse roles.
In summary, while "The Lord of the Rings" remains a monumental achievement in cinema history, Cate Blanchett's revelations remind us that the glitter of Hollywood doesn’t always translate to golden paychecks. Her journey from the elf queen of Middle-Earth to the interstellar outlaw of "Borderlands" reflects a career marked by passion, perseverance, and a bit of playful candor.
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