In case you somehow missed it, given all the media fallout, USA Today reported this past week that Mark Wahlberg was paid exorbitantly more than his co-star Michelle Williams for the reshoots in Ridley Scott‘s “All the Money In The World.” Over the nine-day period, which had Christopher Plummer reshooting Kevin Spacey‘s scenes as John Paul Getty III, Wahlberg earned a $1.5 million paycheck. As for Williams? She received a paltry $80 per day in comparison, for a grand total of less than $1000. Three people familiar with the situation, but contractually unable to speak about it, were quoted in the article, which has caused waves around the industry. Who was to blame? We didn’t really know until USA Today cracked the case wide open yesterday by saying that it was Wahlberg’s greediness that led to the pay gap: “What he said was, ‘I will not approve Christopher Plummer unless you pay me.’ And that’s how he (expletive) them,” a source told the paper.
So, in the uproar, Wahlberg revealed himself as a selfish, greedy douchebag. Especially after his co-star Williams said she agreed to the reshoots because the production “needed” her and that “they could have my salary, they could have my holiday, whatever they wanted. Because I appreciated so much that they were making this massive effort.” Yikes. Even worse? Director Scott said he felt “betrayed” by the news that Wahlberg made millions and Williams basically made zilch. So, of course in a dubiously motivated damage control maneuver, now comes the news that Wahlberg and his agency WME will donate $2 million in Michelle Williams’ name to the Time’s Up fund “to combat harassment and pay inequities in Hollywood.”
Wahlberg’s full statement:
“Over the last few days my reshoot fee for ‘All the Money in the World’ has become an important topic of conversation, I 100 percent support the fight for fair pay and I’m donating the $1.5 million to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams’ name. The current conversation is a reminder that those of us in a position of influence have a responsibility to challenge inequities, including the gender wage gap. In recognition of the pay discrepancy on the ‘All the Money in the World’ reshoots, WME is donating an additional $500,000 to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams’ name, following our $1 million pledge to the organization earlier this month. It’s crucial that this conversation continues within our community and we are committed to being part of the solution.”
It would feel like a generous gesture if Wahlberg hadn’t already essentially held the entire production and film crew hostage by threatening not to approve Plummer, but the fact remains that the actor is not going to get out of this one clean and his reputation has been tarnished. Exacerbating it all is his morally reprehensible ransoming juxtaposed with Williams’ “whatever-you-need” selflessness.
Worse, Wahlberg is currently the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The irony here–given the fact that “All The Money In The World,” is about an old rich sociopath who has an insatiable lust for amassing, and never parting with, his wealth–is thick. If Wahlberg or his reps think this questionable gesture is going to close the matter, they’ve likely got another big thing coming. This likely won’t be the last we hear of this saga given that Michelle Williams and the always candid Scott haven’t weighed in yet.