The Lord of the Rings trilogy is likely one of the most celebrated and financially profitable franchises in cinematic historical past. Directed by Peter Jackson, the movies redefined fantasy storytelling, grossing practically $3 billion worldwide and successful a number of Academy Awards. Given its monumental success, many assume that the solid walked away with life-changing paychecks. Nonetheless, Elijah Wooden, who portrayed Frodo Baggins, not too long ago revealed that this was removed from the reality.
Talking on the 2025 Texas Movie Awards, Wooden disclosed that the actors had been sure by single contracts overlaying all three movies, stopping them from renegotiating salaries because the franchise grew in recognition. This construction, set in place by New Line Cinema, meant that regardless of the movies’ large earnings, the solid’s paychecks remained modest in comparison with trendy blockbuster salaries. The studio, on the time, was taking a substantial threat in adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary work, so that they selected to not make investments closely in actor salaries upfront. Even Cate Blanchett, who performed Galadriel, as soon as joked that she was paid in sandwiches.
Why the Lord of the Rings Forged Earned Much less Than Anticipated?
When New Line Cinema greenlit The Lord of the Rings within the late Nineteen Nineties, it was removed from a assured success. The studio was taking a large monetary threat by committing to 3 movies without delay, an uncommon transfer in Hollywood on the time. As a precaution, they locked in actors underneath single contracts for the complete trilogy, guaranteeing that manufacturing prices remained managed even when the movies turned blockbusters.
Elijah Wooden defined this technique in an interview with Enterprise Insider, stating, “As a result of we weren’t making one film after which renegotiating a contract for the following, it wasn’t the type of profitable situation that you may type of relaxation straightforward for the remainder of your life.” Primarily, the solid signed up for an formidable challenge with out the monetary ensures that always include main franchises immediately.
Cate Blanchett, who performed the ethereal elf Galadriel, had mentioned the identical on Watch What Occurs Reside. She responded to a query about her paycheck by saying, “Are you kidding me? No, nobody obtained paid something to try this film. I mainly obtained free sandwiches and I obtained to maintain my ears.”
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