http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2010/03/money.jpg
Yes sir, things have changed and it’s a new day in Hollywood. Gone are the $20 million pay-days and even the top of the A-list are taking the hit (unless you’re Angelina Jolie). In an article in the NYT, they took a look at the declining paychecks of Hollywood’s biggest stars and the new financial model that has swept the movie factory: CB zero (which stands for cash-break zero). It’s a departure from the previous set up which had stars taking a reduced paycheck for “a percentage of …first-dollar gross receipts; that is, they began sharing in the profits from the first ticket sale, not waiting until the studio turned a profit.” But the new deal is a little different because, now, stars won’t see a dime beyond their paycheck until the film breaks even.
According to experts (who remained anonymous), the reason for the change is that a big name just doesn’t pull in the crowds like it used to. Plus, the all important 18-34 demographic just isn’t that interested in the Hollywood A-list anymore. When you take a look at most of this years’ Oscar nominations, smaller films and previously unheard of actors like Gabourey Sidibe (Precious](http://www.moviefone.com/movie/precious/31794/main)) and Jeremy Renner from The Hurt Locker](The Hurt Locker (2009) - Movie | Moviefone) (who both worked for at or near guild minimums: $65,000, with negotiable overtime with some food and mandatory breaks) are competing alongside big names like George Clooney and Meryl Streep, who also took pay cuts, because according to the NYT, “[when] the estimated salaries of all 10 of the top acting nominees are combined, the total is only a little larger than the $20 million.”
After the jump: the future of Hollywood’s A-Listers…
Continue reading Will 2010 Mark the End of Hollywood’s A-List?