Here is how Mark Wahlberg was able to negotiate for a bigger pay to reshoot some scenes in All The Money In The World.
According to a new report, the 46-year-old refused to approve Kevin Spacey's replacement, Christopher Plummer, as J. Paul Getty, an industrialist and oil magnate. The studio behind the movie folded and gave Wahlberg $1.5 million pay for 10 days of reshoots.
"What he said was, 'I will not approve Christopher Plummer unless you pay me.' And that's how he (expletive) them," a person with insider knowledge told USA Today. Another anonymous source backed the claim and said that the actor's lawyers vetoed Plummer's involvement in the movie until his demand was met.
Wahlberg Does Not Work For Free
Another report by TMZ recounts that a producer of the movie, not director Ridley Scott, approached Williams to negotiate about the additional work. The four-time Academy Award winner wanted to finish the movie at all cost and agreed to do the reshoots for $80 a day.
At around the same time, Ridley flew to London to convince Wahlberg to do the additional work. No discussion about money was made but the actor agreed to the shoot.
As soon as the main characters were locked in, the movie signed Plummer to replace Spacey.
However, after Wahlberg has committed to the reshoots, the actor refused to do the extra work unless he was paid. Representatives for the actor even allegedly claimed that the Transformers: The Last Knight star does not work for free. The studio had no choice but to pay Wahlberg $1.5 million.
Ridley, who previously stated that the actors did the reshoots without additional payment, had no idea that a deal was made between the financiers and Wahlberg. The publication adds that the legendary director feels betrayed and angry.
Under Investigation
The pay disparity between Wahlberg and Williams created so much noise that the SAG-AFTRA is looking into the issue.
"We are unambiguously in favor of pay equity between men and women in this industry and support every action to move in this direction," said the labor union in a statement.
However, there is not much that the guild can do since Wahlberg was able to negotiate for the additional payment. The fact that both actors were represented by the same talent agency but still got a massive pay disparity is what could cause some problems and raise questions about equal representation.
