Is Tom Cruise worth $100 million?

[m_burlock]

That's the cover story of the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly mag. He made that much for doing Speilberg's War of the Worlds. What do you think, is he worth that much?

[bob]

No, but then again a large portion of that money came from the box office receipts, which may have been lower if Cruise had not been in it. So it's hard to say.

But if I was choosing between giving Tom Cruise $100 million or another talented actor $25 million, the decision would be simple.

[APzombie]

Doesn't he have the biggest 100 mil streek for an actor? I mean, I thought I read that all of his films since, like Mission Impossible have made over a hundred million.

I dont know if any actor is worth that much, but I wouldn't argue if Crusie got that much for MI:III, given he produced it and carried the production on his shoulders, but WotW? I think the story lost alot of its human elements with a star that big in the light. I think he did a wonderful job in it but its hard to ignore his stardom sometimes. Imagine if Phillip Symore Hoffman played the lead... He'd be huffin and puffin when he ran (isn't that the key element in every Cruise film? him running mad), he'd have been a better choice for the the story. Maybe not for selling the film though.

[Avner]

"Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking achievements, has announced Tom Hanks' entry into the record books for: "Actor With Most Consecutive $100 Million Grossing Movies."

http://www.fox23news.com/entertainme...7-3CA58775BF3D

Tom Cruise isn't worth that amount. Tom Hanks or someone of a finer acting caliber should occupy that category.

[JCPhoenix]

Man, I seriously don't think any actor is worth more than $10 million and that's already excessive. I've never understood why actors get paid so much money, it's just another job and it screws up a movie's budget immensely. Seriously, actors should be paid no more than a million for the best and the rest should go to the movie.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

If you ask me, any actor making millions of dollars for one role isn't worth it. There's so much more that money can go towards than an actor's salary.

[chinton]

I have stronger words.

The idea that any actor is paid millions upon millions of dollars for one role is just sad and frankly sickening to me. Honestly it makes me laugh when I hear how a star "hunkered" down and only got paid a measely half a million for a role. A MEASELY HALF A MILLION. Maybe its just becuase I don't have many needs but I would be ecastatic to get 500,000 for one role. That so much more than most people make in a year yet suddenly it becomes measely when were taking about stars. Heres an idea why dont you guys save your money and live like human beings. I think most people can easily survive on 1 million dollars a year.

[dman476]

Originally posted by chinton
I think most people can easily survive on 1 million dollars a year.

UNDERSTATEMENT!

[Mr. Fancy Pants]

People are worth whatever they can get. That's capitalism. It's not like he inherited $100 million.

If everyone in the world got fairly paid according to their merit to society then I'd be making a lot less money too and we wouldn't need countries anymore which would lead to world peace except for the rowdy drunk across the street who plays his stereo too loud. TURN IT DOWN YOU GOOF! IT'S AFTER 1AM!

[bob]

I think actors and sports stars unquestionably deserve their astronomic salaries, because their industries make so much money, that, speaking proportionately, the salaries make perfect sense.

Anyone who thinks it's possible for teachers and actors to get paid the same amount (I've actually heard that argument) is either a complete dumbass or....is a complete dumbass.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Originally posted by bob
I think actors and sports stars unquestionably deserve their astronomic salaries, because their industries make so much money, that, speaking proportionately, the salaries make perfect sense.

Anyone who thinks it's possible for teachers and actors to get paid the same amount (I've actually heard that argument) is either a complete dumbass or....is a complete dumbass.

They could at least do something good with the monstrous amounts of money they get. Instead they end up owning mansions, hundreds of cars, motorcycles, what have you. They end up having so much money that they don't know what to do with it.

How about donating to charity (without writing it off on your taxes so that you get it all back ), or the poor. Be truly charitable for God's sake.

[Joshmo]

I agree. Technically are these stars worth that kind of money when compared to the services that a doctor, a teacher, a fireman or a cop, etc earn? FUCK NO they are NOT. On a certain level, I think its a shame we live in a world where someone can "play pretend" to be somebody who actually makes a difference in lives, and make more than the real person. But the reality is nobody is gonna stand in line and buy a ticket to the latest spelling bee, or brain operation...or pay to watch a fireman put out a fire. Dont even get me started on sports.. with the exception of some boxing I LOATH sports.

Movies are a big business and they generate big bucks..that big money comes with crazy profit and though I'd rather see an actor get a huge chunk of that then the studio exec who is getting already getting rich as well...it still pisses me off that this setup can set someone up for life by just doing a few flicks.. *coughchristucker....

The part that DOES sicken me is the cult of celebrities...they're just actors...in ancient times actors were the lowliest of professions...though I dont think that myself, I also think people who put them on pedastils as if by right of being on camera endows them with supernatural intuitive abilities garners them all this attention. I fucking hate it and even the regular nightly LOCAL news cant even end without talking about these fucking stars..

[ComeNightfall]

No. No actor or actress is worth that kind of money.

[Tuukka]

People are barking at the wrong tree here.

Cruise wasn't paid 100 million for WOTW. He got a cut of the GROSS, and his star status was an important reason why the film made so well. His movies always do well. He is the most commercially consistent star in the world.

The thing is, Cruise brings money to the studios. So it's 100% right that the the studios give money to him.

If Cruise (and other big actors) wouldn't get that money, then it would go to some anonymous studio suits and to stock holders. And those people for the most part didn't have anything to do with the actual movie. They didn't contribute to the artistic result.

If you really think that the if actors' wouldn't get paid big salaries, the money would go to charity... Then you gotta be kidding yourself. The money wouldn't go to charity, it would go to greedy businessmen who care only about the money, and not about the art.

At least actors care about the art, and at least they directly contribute to both the artistic and commercial success of the film.

You know, it might seem unfair that Bill Gates has dozens of billions in his account... That formula drives can make hundreds of millions a year... Well, tough shit. They EARNED their money, just like actors do. That's capitalism.

They bring in huge money, they deserve their own cut.

If you think that they are easily replaceable and don't have any special abilities which have made them what they are... Well, you are welcome to try and compete with them.

[bob]

And now it's six consecutive years I've been making good points on this board and Tuukka has been posting the same thing 1000x more eloquently.

[ilovemovies]

Originally posted by Mr. Fred Krueger
They could at least do something good with the monstrous amounts of money they get. Instead they end up owning mansions, hundreds of cars, motorcycles, what have you. They end up having so much money that they don't know what to do with it.

How about donating to charity (without writing it off on your taxes so that you get it all back ), or the poor. Be truly charitable for God's sake.

Spoken like a true jealous person.

And for the record, a lot them do.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
Spoken like a true jealous person.

And for the record, a lot them do.

I'm not jealous of anyone. In fact, I prefer to not make millions of dollars. Greed just isn't in my nature, friend. After I get out of college, I look forward to working a 9-5 job, raising a family and staying above the poverty line. Making millions isn't a part of the plan.

A lot give to charities, yes. But they also write those donations off on their taxes and get all of it back. That's not charity. That's lending.

[ilovemovies]

There is nothing wrong with making millions and, gasp!, heaven forbid live a more financially privelaged life and enjoy their wealth.

They did actually work for it.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
There is nothing wrong with making millions and, gasp!, heaven forbid live a more financially privelaged life and enjoy their wealth.

They did actually work for it.

Playing pretend is working? I always laugh when actor's complain about working 16 hour days. The lot of it is spent waiting around, which isn't exactly laborious. Boring, yes. Physically tiring, no.

And I never said there was anything wrong in making millions. Though I don't consider myself to be a capitalist, I recognize that we live in a capitalist society. The American Dream is to climb the ladder and live in luxury.

Live in luxury, but give a little. And really give it, not lend it.

[DareDevil]

Originally posted by Mr. Fred Krueger
Playing pretend is working?

Playing pretend is working?? no little kids playing house and dress up is pretending, most the actors who make the millions are there because they either a) they have a great understanding in business or b) have a great/expensive team working behind them, most actors in the business don’t make big bucks so don't class type actors as "people playing pretend" and receiving unthinkable amounts of money because it's not like that and the ones who do are house hold names for that reason.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Ummm...regardless of understanding business, the fact is that actors play pretend. That's what acting is. That's their job. That's what they get paid ridiculous amounts of money for. And sure, not every actor makes millions upon millions. But I really like this comment:

Honestly it makes me laugh when I hear how a star "hunkered" down and only got paid a" measely half a million" for a role.

These are the kind of actors we're talking about. The kind that must make millions or complain when they don't.

Actors aren't these special people who help society or try to cure anything. They simply play pretend. Hunkering down for half a million is ridiculous. Be happy you're making that much. Most people who work jobs that actually involve helping others make less.

[Monotreme]

I don't know if you've done any acting in your life, but it's far more than "playing pretend". Firstly, it requires lots of physical work. Also, becoming a character that isn't you is harder than you may think. Acting isn't just delivering the lines convincingly. You have to become and understand the character. A good actor will put lots of effort into this - research, spending time either with or as the character he's playing... Not to mention that actors are also public figures. Also, filmmaking is a very stressful process, with long filming days, many night shoots, etc. During the shoot of a film, actors probably work more hours a day than any office job worker. Also, actors have promotional duties which usually require them to fly all over the world to appear on talk shows and at events. An actor that works works hard, it's not as pampered a lifestyle as you seem to think.

Also, some actors ARE these special people who help society or try to cure things. The only celebrities I respect are those who use their money and their power in order to try to change the world - by using their celebrity status to support a cause or an organization, by donating millions, by visiting troubled countries or areas and showing support. Just look at Bono, or Bob Geldof. If they weren't famous and successful musicians, they would never have the clout nor the money to work as hard as they do to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Mr. Fred Krueger, would you donate hundreds of thousands of dollars out of your own pocket to charity organizations, show up at rallies, visit poverty-struck regions of Africa, hold public speakings, raise awareness, and all on your free time BESIDES your regular work schedule? Probably not. Fact is that actors have the money and the means to do so, and many of them do - and this is besides balancing difficult working schedules, promotional duties, and the likes.

[DareDevil]

Originally posted by Mr. Fred Krueger
Ummm...regardless of understanding business, the fact is that actors play pretend. That's what acting is. That's their job. That's what they get paid ridiculous amounts of money for. And sure, not every actor makes millions upon millions. But I really like this comment:



These are the kind of actors we're talking about. The kind that must make millions or complain when they don't.

Actors aren't these special people who help society or try to cure anything. They simply play pretend. Hunkering down for half a million is ridiculous. Be happy you're making that much. Most people who work jobs that actually involve helping others make less.

I don't know what you know, but if an actor gets 500,000 for doing a movie, I know that at the end of the day when he's done paying his agent, publicists, ect. He would likely leave with under $200,000.

And acting is ALOT more than "pretending" Fuck they're 2 totally different things, as a movie buff I would have assumed you knew that.

[drago25]

No, in the sense that I don't think any actor needs to make that much money. I am an actor myself so I know the work it involves, but that's still an a ridiculous sum of money to make.

But yes, in the sense that he's a good enough actor to receive top dollar.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Originally posted by Monotreme
[B]I don't know if you've done any acting in your life, but it's far more than "playing pretend". Firstly, it requires lots of physical work. Also, becoming a character that isn't you is harder than you may think. Acting isn't just delivering the lines convincingly. You have to become and understand the character. A good actor will put lots of effort into this - research, spending time either with or as the character he's playing... Not to mention that actors are also public figures. Also, filmmaking is a very stressful process, with long filming days, many night shoots, etc. During the shoot of a film, actors probably work more hours a day than any office job worker. Also, actors have promotional duties which usually require them to fly all over the world to appear on talk shows and at events. An actor that works works hard, it's not as pampered a lifestyle as you seem to think.

Yes, but is it worth making millions of dollars? That's the question. In my opinion it isn't. Yes, they have to do research, act, promote. But that's still a ludicrous amount of money for them to be making for just acting in a make believe world. That's my personal opinion.

And sure, they work long hours, as I mentioned before. But so do many non-Union folks outside of the industry. A lot of factory jobs require you to work 16 hours a day and have manditory overtime. You don't see these people making millions of dollars.

Also, some actors ARE these special people who help society or try to cure things. The only celebrities I respect are those who use their money and their power in order to try to change the world - by using their celebrity status to support a cause or an organization, by donating millions, by visiting troubled countries or areas and showing support. Just look at Bono, or Bob Geldof. If they weren't famous and successful musicians, they would never have the clout nor the money to work as hard as they do to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Mr. Fred Krueger, would you donate hundreds of thousands of dollars out of your own pocket to charity organizations, show up at rallies, visit poverty-struck regions of Africa, hold public speakings, raise awareness, and all on your free time BESIDES your regular work schedule? Probably not. Fact is that actors have the money and the means to do so, and many of them do - and this is besides balancing difficult working schedules, promotional duties, and the likes.

You know, I'm sorry if I made it sound like no actors were charitable. That was wrong of me. I was just trying to point out the bad apples that aren't very charitable or fake being charitable.

And, yes if I had hundreds of thousands to give to charity, I would. It would be my Christian duty. Being a poor college student right now, I honestly can't (aside from giving a homeless guy some spare change and donating to toys for tots every Christmas). But if I had that kind of money, I'd be obligated to give much of my earnings to organizations.

As far as public speakings and the like, I wouldn't do that honestly. And the only reason I wouldn't is because charity is supposed to be done privately according to the Bible, and I would intend to be charitable in secret.

He would likely leave with under $200,000.

And acting is ALOT more than "pretending" Fuck they're 2 totally different things, as a movie buff I would have assumed you knew that.

To stay above the poverty line, you need to make about 50,000 dollars a year. An actor can be very comfortable with 200,000 a movie.

I really wouldn't consider acting to be much more than pretending. You're getting inside a character's head, trying to become the character. You're pretending.

[The Heart Collector]

One way of looking at it is that actors 'pretend'. Another way of looking at is that actors are part of a product which makes MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, and said product's profitability can have something to do with the actors.