Denzel Washington: The Little Things and His Highest Paying Role
Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, received his highest salary for one of his worst-reviewed movies. Let's delve into the details of his career and the special circumstances surrounding his payday for The Little Things.
Denzel's Career and Pay Rise
Denzel Washington is a legendary figure in Hollywood, known for his exceptional acting prowess and the ability to command the big screen. Throughout his illustrious career, he has delivered remarkable performances in a wide range of genres, from intense action movies to thought-provoking dramas.
Denzel's Career and Pay Rise
His popularity and recognizability have made him a bankable movie star, capable of turning both action-packed blockbusters and critically acclaimed films into box office successes. This led to a significant increase in his earnings, with Denzel commanding a staggering $20 million per movie from the 2000s onwards. Notable movies that contributed to this impressive payday include Out of Time, Man on Fire, and American Gangster.
Despite the changing landscape of Hollywood, Denzel's stardom and influence continued to soar in the 2010s and 2020s. While it was expected that his highest-grossing films would fetch him substantial paychecks, he surprisingly maintained his $20 million salary for movies like 2 Guns. However, he also made strategic decisions to take pay cuts for projects such as Flight and The Tragedy of Macbeth, showcasing his commitment to diverse and challenging roles.
The Little Things: A Game-Changer
Denzel Washington's highest paying role came as a surprise to many, as it was for a movie that received mixed-to-negative reviews. The movie in question, The Little Things, released in January 2021, presented Denzel with one of the most substantial salaries ever offered to a movie star for a single project. According to Variety, Denzel Washington was paid a staggering $40 million for his role in The Little Things, doubling his usual salary and solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid actors of the year.
The unexpected nature of this record-breaking payday can be attributed to the unique circumstances surrounding the movie's release. Originally intended for a theatrical debut, The Little Things faced a shift in strategy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Warner Bros. opted for a simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters, Denzel and his team negotiated for improved compensation, recognizing the potential impact on the movie's box office performance. The outcome was a groundbreaking $40 million paycheck, reflecting the studio's acknowledgment of the challenges faced by the film during the pandemic.
Despite the movie's disappointing critical reception and underwhelming box office performance, The Little Things marked a significant milestone in Denzel Washington's career, showcasing his ability to navigate and negotiate in the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
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The Little Things: Reviews and Legacy
Despite the substantial paycheck and high expectations, The Little Things failed to resonate with critics and audiences alike. The movie garnered a critic score of 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the lowest-rated films in Denzel Washington's filmography. The lukewarm reviews reflected a general sense of disappointment and missed potential, overshadowing the star-studded cast and the director's pedigree.
Featuring acclaimed actors such as Rami Malek and Jared Leto, and helmed by director John Lee Hancock, The Little Things fell short of leaving a lasting impact, becoming synonymous with Denzel Washington's highest-paid role rather than its cinematic achievements. Despite the critical setback, the movie's legacy lies in its role as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the unique circumstances that led to Denzel's record-breaking payday.
