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Cate Blanchett says no one got paid on Lord Of The Rings

Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:08 am
Posted by themetalreb
Mississippi
Member since Sep 2018
6832 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:08 am
LINK

I've heard this before....I wonder why this is?
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:12 am to
I mean, it depends on the person and certainly wasn't universal. Some got paid very little, some got a lot. However, most of them were signed to a three movie project, not just one movie. Plus, at the time, the project was a huge risk. Hindsight obviously differs, but at the time nobody was quite sure that sinking that much money into a fantasy movie like that was going to actually pay off.
This post was edited on 1/16/26 at 10:14 am
Posted by TigerMyth36
River Ridge
Member since Nov 2005
41171 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:18 am to
You get paid what you agree to when you contract to make the movie. The original movie had a tiny budget for 3 movies all at once and they required a tremendous amount of work post production effects.

And nobody got paid is complete hogwash. She had a SMALL role so she was paid for a small role. McKellan was paid $13,000,000. I don't think that is nothing.

The movie was a HUGE risk. One that paid off. Several of the cast were paid millions after the success of the movies. Some were not but they were paid what they agreed to when the contracts were signed.

Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:23 am to
quote:

McKellan was paid $13,000,000. I don't think that is nothing.


I think that is the number for all 3 films (not chump change, just quantifying). Orlando Bloom said he got $175k for all three. I think Sean Astin was around $250k. Wood got $250k for the first one but big bump the latter two. Liv Tyler got like $2M for the first one I think.

It was all over the place, but it is pretty universal that none of them had any success stipulations or got portions of the profits, which isn't too uncommon for big ensemble movies.
This post was edited on 1/16/26 at 10:24 am
Posted by VermilionTiger
Member since Dec 2012
38972 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:24 am to
quote:

Liv Tyler got like $2M for the first one I think.


The Harvey Weinstein special
Posted by themetalreb
Mississippi
Member since Sep 2018
6832 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:38 am to
I'm not saying contracts weren't honored....just seems there would have been residual money for one of the biggest movies of all time.
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:39 am to
Most of the contracts didn't have residuals.
Posted by TheFonz
Somewhere in Louisiana
Member since Jul 2016
22914 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:41 am to
They were paid with


Posted by iwyLSUiwy
I'm your huckleberry
Member since Apr 2008
40980 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:51 am to
quote:

Orlando Bloom said he got $175k for all three. I think Sean Astin was around $250k


Jesus, that's low. Cate Blanchett I actually understand seeing is she probably could have shot all her scenes in a couple of days. Bloom and Astin obviously put in a lot of work.
Posted by JW
Los Angeles
Member since Jul 2004
5193 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:57 am to
I'm guessing they got backend points
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:10 am to
quote:


Jesus, that's low. Cate Blanchett I actually understand seeing is she probably could have shot all her scenes in a couple of days. Bloom and Astin obviously put in a lot of work.


Bloom was also a complete unknown at the time when he signed on for all three movies.
Posted by bluestem75
Dallas, TX
Member since Oct 2007
4978 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:17 am to
Bloom has talked about this frequently and always says that the movies set him up for his Pirates pay day.
Posted by TigerMyth36
River Ridge
Member since Nov 2005
41171 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:18 am to
He said Lord of the Rings. So of course I meant all 3. They were all contracted for all 3 from the start because they were shot at the same time.
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
67832 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:19 am to
quote:

I'm guessing they got backend points


Nope
Posted by Jmcc64
alabama
Member since Apr 2021
1887 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:23 am to
and that would be on them. or their agent.
Posted by imjustafatkid
Alabama
Member since Dec 2011
63264 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:31 am to
quote:

Cate Blanchett says no one got paid on Lord Of The Rings


Yeah, I'm sure they've all derived no benefit from being part of one of the greatest film series of all time.
Posted by Bard
Definitely NOT an admin
Member since Oct 2008
58210 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:33 am to
quote:

and that would be on them. or their agent.


Agreed. Astin's been around the business far too long to make a mistake like that. They should at least get a percentage of merchandise involved with their likenesses.
Posted by SouthEasternKaiju
SouthEast... you figure it out
Member since Aug 2021
43726 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:52 am to
This was posted in April 2025, almost a year ago. Don’t know when the interview was, but she’s a bit off her rocker. Did they get guaranteed money walking into this trilogy? Probably not. But I guarantee she’s getting some decent checks on the back end, whether she admits it or not.

Terrible timing for this to pop up again, crapping on the ‘way too early’ 25th anniversary showing in theaters of these movies.

If they really wanted to be authentic, they could’ve waited until December. But I guess they don’t like making too much money.

Posted by HueyLongJr
Member since Oct 2007
981 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 12:00 pm to
Astin's biggest claim to fame was his family name. Guy really hasn't done anything before or after LOTR.
Posted by LSUPERMAN
Louisiana
Member since Aug 2007
2978 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 12:01 pm to
Did Blanchett and Bloom not get paid for the Hobbit Trilogy?
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