Gal Gadot is getting a $10 million payout for Wonder Woman 1984's move to HBO Max. Warner Bros. announced that the film would be hitting HBO Max and theaters on the same day. The studio made the decision to keep the film's release on Christmas Day after many thought it would be delayed again as coronavirus cases surged across the country again. The move was a precursor to a larger shift.
Warner Bros. announced that, in addition to the Patty Jenkins directed sequel, its entire slate of 2021 films would be released similarly. The studio has 17 major films being released next year, including some major heavy hitters like Dune, The Suicide Squad, Godzilla vs Kong, and The Matrix 4. Subscribers will not be charged an additional fee for the films and they will remain on the platform for a month. The move has sent shockwaves through the industry.
One of the major concerns around this release format revolved around the studio's major stars pay on the backend. It seems that Gadot has negotiated compensation for the move, with NYT reporting that the actress will receive an additional $10 million dollars. Jenkins will receive similar compensation. The additional fee is the result of negotiations between Gadot and Jenkins' lawyers and the studio.
Typically, stars of Gadot's caliber will receive backend compensation that is contingent on the amount the film grosses in theaters. With the coronavirus completely changing the way we watch movies (for now), it is all but guaranteed the film will not see the same box office results it would in a normal year. Moving the film to HBO Max will significantly impact these already diminished returns, making the guaranteed payout an easier way to earn the money.
The question remains, though, as to the status of Warner Bros. other major performers. Like their film roster, Warner Bros. has an A-list cast in nearly all of its films. They, too, will want some sort of compensation comparable to the money they would have made as stipulated in their contracts. It's worth noting Keanu Reeves and Will Smith have not received bonuses for their movies going to HBO Max (but they can still negotiate a deal). Reports so far have indicated that Warner Bros. blindsided the industry with the move, giving performers less time to negotiate for these things. Wonder Woman 1984 benefitted greatly from the weeks of talks that proceeded the announcement. It's likely more performers will seek out similar deals in the coming days.
Source: New York Times
