Culture

Don’t Believe In The Wage Gap? Ask Michelle Williams How Much She Just Got Paid.

In October 2017, allegations of sexual misconduct began surfacing about actor Kevin Spacey, who was subsequently blacklisted from Netflix and dropped from Ridley Scott’s film, “All the Money in the World.”

With his role being replaced by Christopher Plummet, all of Spacey’s scenes were cut from the movie, requiring a quick re-shoot during the week of Thanksgiving. Grateful for this move, Michelle Williams was more than happy to come back and redo her scenes. “I said I’d be wherever they needed me, whenever they needed me,” she told USA Today. “And they could have my salary, they could have my holiday, whatever they wanted. Because I appreciated so much that they were making this massive effort.”

Scott himself told the publication that besides Plummet and the crew, the other actors weren’t paid extra for the reshoot. “No, they all came in free. Christopher had to get paid. But Michelle, no. Me, no.”

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The Movie Maestro's Reviews: All the Money in the World (2017) dir. Ridley Scott While there is little doubt that I am a huge fan of Ridley Scott, and always have been, his output has been rather inconsistent in this past decade. While his eye and attention to detail has certainly never faltered, his choice of projects with substandard scripts has reared its ugly head on more than one recent occasion–I'm looking at you, Robin Hood. Which makes All the Money in the World that much more refreshing. Based on the true life kidnapping of oil billionaire J. Paul Getty's son in 1973, the film is most certainly a thriller in that regard, with more than a few tense moments, but Scarpa's screenplay is wisely underplayed, giving Ridley freedom to let the moments of dread resonate on their own terms with the audience instead of swatting them on the back of the head with overbearing scoring or editing. But much more interesting to the viewer is the portrayal of Getty himself; as the world's richest man at the time, Getty was already a figure of lofty self-worth, but Plummer's portrayal is so far removed from the daily struggle of everyday life and empathy that he seems completely reptilian, concerned not with his own flesh and blood but with his vast art collection. In Getty, Scarpa and Ridley see the chance to raise profound philosophical questions on the nature of material wealth. What's even more impressive: that Plummer had only 2 weeks to craft it, having been quickly cast to replace Kevin Spacey after his sexual assault allegations broke out. Call it a stunt if you are so inclined, but it certainly paid off, installing an actor far better than the previous could ever amount to. Bravo, boys. #themoviemaestro #filmreview #allthemoneyintheworld #ridleyscott #davidscarpa #johnpearson #michellewilliams #christopherplummer #markwahlberg #romainduris #timothydutton #charlieplummer #thriller #rich #kidnapping #jpaulgetty

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But as reporters recently uncovered, Williams’ co-star Mark Wahlberg made $1.5 million on the reshoots alone, a hefty fee negotiated by his team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdxV3jEFTY2

Williams’ earnings for the reshoots? Less than $1,000 — a staggering difference, especially considering both actors are represented by the William Morris Endeavor agency. Williams, who has been working in the industry for over 20 years, was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the film.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdr3I_hAApM

Williams and Wahlberg haven’t yet commented on the news, but the massive pay gap definitely isn’t looking good for Wahlberg or his team, considering Williams’ and other actors’ willingness to work for next to nothing in order to make sure an abuser would be removed from the film. Although her complicity is important to remember, her agency should have advocated for her and her work as they did for Mark. It is also unknown if Williams knew about the steep negotiations for Wahlberg at the time or if knowing about them would have influenced her decision regarding pay.

Williams and Wahlberg haven't yet commented on the news, but the massive pay gap definitely isn't looking good for Wahlberg or his team, considering Williams' and other actors' willingness to work for next to nothing in order to make sure an abuser would be removed from the film. Although her complicity is important to remember, her agency should have advocated for her and her work as they did for Mark. It is also unknown if Williams knew about the steep negotiations for Wahlberg at the time or if knowing about them would have influenced her decision regarding pay.

YouTube / Sony Pictures Entertainment

(via Glamour and USA Today)

What are your thoughts on this story? Was it in bad taste for Wahlberg’s team to take monetary advantage of a sexual abuse scandal, or is it not a big deal? Let us know in the comments.

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