Cate Blanchett, who played Galadriel in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, has revealed that she was paid "basically nothing" for her role, despite it being one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Cate Blanchett has shared startling details about her salary for portraying Galadriel in the iconic "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. During an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live," the Oscar-winning actress revealed that her compensation for the immensely popular fantasy film series was meager.
Upon being asked which of her movies landed her the biggest paycheck, Blanchett responded, "I think it's probably 'Lord of the Rings.'" However, she swiftly dispelled the notion that her involvement in the blockbuster franchise had brought her substantial financial rewards. "Are you kidding me? No, no one got paid anything to do that movie," she clarified.
Cate Blanchett's 'Lord of the Rings' Payout: "Basically Nothing
Host Andy Cohen pressed further, inquiring whether Blanchett had received a percentage of the film's back-end profits. "No! That was way before any of that. No, nothing!" Blanchett replied unequivocally.
She attributed her decision to participate in the project to her admiration for director Peter Jackson's earlier work, particularly "Braindead," a 1992 horror comedy film. "I mean, I basically got free sandwiches, and I got to keep my ears," she quipped, referring to the iconic prosthetic elf ears she wore as part of her Galadriel costume.
Cate Blanchett's 'Lord of the Rings' Payout: "Basically Nothing
Blanchett's disclosure serves as a reminder that even for highly successful and acclaimed films, female actors often receive significantly lower pay than their male counterparts. "Women don't get paid as much as you think they do," she asserted.
Despite the lack of financial compensation, Blanchett expressed pride in her association with "The Lord of the Rings" and the opportunity it provided her to collaborate with such a talented cast and crew.
Cate Blanchett's 'Lord of the Rings' Payout: "Basically Nothing
"I had a blast on those movies," she added. "It was an amazing experience."
Blanchett's performance as the ethereal and wise elf queen, Galadriel, earned her widespread critical acclaim and cemented her status as one of the most respected actresses of her generation.
Cate Blanchett's 'Lord of the Rings' Payout: "Basically Nothing
The actress is set to star in the upcoming film "Borderlands" alongside Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis. She also recently graced the red carpet at the MET Gala alongside Curtis, where she narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction thanks to her quick-thinking co-star.
While gender disparities in Hollywood's pay practices persist, Cate Blanchett's revelation about her "Lord of the Rings" salary highlights the ongoing need for greater transparency and fairness in the industry.
