Cillian Murphy and Oppenheimer Cast Salaries Revealed
Uncover surprising pay gaps among top actors in the Oppenheimer cast. Some big names may not be earning what you expect.
Oppenheimer, a historical drama directed by Christopher Nolan, was a major success at the box office. Despite its popularity, some of the top actors in the star-studded cast were not paid as much as anticipated to work alongside Cillian Murphy. The film, based on the true story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, also known as the "father of the atomic bomb," grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, making a significant profit from its $100 million budget.
The cast of Oppenheimer is filled with well-known faces, with many actors making brief appearances on screen. Alongside Cillian Murphy, the supporting roles include Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, the physicist's wife, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, a key member of the United States Atomic Energy Commission and opponent of Oppenheimer, and Matt Damon as Leslie Groves, the director of the Manhattan Project. Despite the star power of these actors, a considerable portion of the film's budget did not go towards their salaries as one might assume.
Oppenheimer is available to stream on Peacock.
Cillian Murphy Was Paid $10 Million For Oppenheimer
Murphy played the titular J. Robert Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer looks at the camera in Oppenheimer. - Murphy played the titular J. Robert Oppenheimer - Cillian Murphy Was Paid $10 Million For Oppenheimer
Several online reports reveal the salaries of other actors in Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt were each paid $4 million for their roles in the film.
They all took a significant pay cut to work with Nolan
Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) smiles and holds J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy)'s hand in Oppenheimer. - They all took a significant pay cut to work with Nolan - Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon & Emily Blunt Were Paid $4 Million Each For Oppenheimer
After Murphy's $10 million payday, the next biggest salaries were awarded to the three A-list stars forming the first tier of supporting actors in Oppenheimer. Despite their equal pay for their supporting roles, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon were each paid $4 million, a figure lower than expected.
While $4 million is still a significant sum for most actors, it falls below the usual asking price for these Hollywood heavyweights. Typically, stars of their caliber command rates ranging from $10 million to $20 million depending on the project. However, Variety reports that they willingly took a pay cut "for the privilege of working with Nolan" on Oppenheimer. Additionally, RDJ, Blunt, and Damon stand to benefit from back-end compensation, which, given the film's massive box office success, is likely to exceed their initial pay.
Oppenheimer Cast Members' Salaries
Tom Hardy, who played General Leslie Groves, earned $20 million for his role in Oppenheimer. Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy took home $15 million for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Emily Blunt received $10 million for her role as Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer. Lastly, Matt Damon was paid $25 million for his performance as Niels Bohr in the film.
Other cast members include Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, and more
Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) cries in Oppenheimer. - Other cast members include Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, and more - What Other Oppenheimer Cast Members Were Paid For Oppenheimer Roles
According to NME, Florence Pugh received the second-highest salary in the Oppenheimer cast, earning $1 million for her role as Jean Tatlock, Oppenheimer's lover. The salaries of most other supporting cast members remain undisclosed. However, Benny Safdie, who portrayed Edward Teller, the "father of the hydrogen bomb," reportedly earned $700,000 for his role, as per ComingSoon.
Michael Angarano, despite having limited screen time, was paid $500,000 for his portrayal of Manhattan Project physicist Robert Serber. In contrast, Josh Hartnett, who played Nobel Prize-winning nuclear physicist Ernest Lawrence, earned $400,000, even though his role was more significant than Angarano's and Safdie's. Various factors influence an actor's salary for a specific role, and it is possible that actors like Hartnett took pay cuts to collaborate with Nolan on Oppenheimer.
How Much The Oppenheimer Cast Was Paid | ||
|---|---|---|
Actor | Character | Salary |
Cillian Murphy | J. Robert Oppenheimer | $10 million |
Robert Downey Jr. | Lewis Strauss | $4 million |
Emily Blunt | Kitty Oppenheimer | $4 million |
Matt Damon | Leslie Groves | $4 million |
Florence Pugh | Jean Tatlock | $1 million |
Benny Safdie | Edward Teller | $700,000 |
Michael Angarano | Robert Serber | $500,000 |
Josh Hartnett | Ernest Lawrence | $400,000 |
Sources: Box Office Mojo, NME, Fortune, Variety, ComingSoon
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the discrepancy in salaries among the star-studded cast of "Oppenheimer," with Cillian Murphy receiving a significantly higher payment than his fellow A-list actors. While the reasons behind this disparity are not explicitly stated, it raises questions about the factors that influence salary negotiations in the film industry. The article also reveals that several actors, including Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, took pay cuts to work with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, suggesting that the prestige associated with projects helmed by renowned filmmakers can hold sway over financial considerations.
The article also provides insights into the salaries of supporting cast members and reveals that Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, and Michael Angarano received varying amounts for their roles. The disclosure of these salaries, albeit incomplete, offers a glimpse into the compensation structure within the film industry and highlights the diverse factors that determine an actor's pay, including screen time, experience, and the reputation of the project and its director.
