Additional Coverage:
- Wes Anderson says Gene Hackman was ‘furious’ about being paid the same as everyone else in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (businessinsider.com)
Gene Hackman Grumbles, But Cashes Anderson’s Check Anyway
Equal pay for all? That’s Wes Anderson’s motto, even if it ruffled a few feathers with the late Gene Hackman. Anderson recently revealed that Hackman wasn’t thrilled about the flat-rate payment system on the set of the 2001 hit “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
“Gene was very annoyed about the money,” Anderson admitted, adding that Hackman was already hesitant to take the role. It seems the director’s persistence, not the paycheck, ultimately convinced the two-time Oscar winner. The rest of the star-studded cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, and Ben Stiller, all accepted the same undisclosed amount.
Apparently, the on-set tension didn’t end with filming. Anderson recalled Hackman “left without saying goodbye” and that their relationship had been “grumpy” throughout production. This echoes Anderson’s previous comments at a 2021 Tribeca Film Festival screening, where he praised Hackman for giving his all “for that small amount of money.”
Hackman’s alleged aversion to smaller paydays is somewhat legendary. Alec Baldwin, who narrated “The Royal Tenenbaums,” once joked that Hackman’s agent claimed the actor “didn’t open his eyes for less than $3 million.”
Interestingly, Anderson’s flat-rate system seems to be catching on. Similar pay structures have been reported on the sets of his more recent films, including “Asteroid City,” and even on HBO’s hit series “The White Lotus.” This approach may signal a shift in Hollywood, where actors prioritize the project over the paycheck – or at least agree to equal pay for all.