The upcoming movie Deadpool & Wolverine (formerly Deadpool 3) has generated immense buzz, fueled by the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds’ iconic Deadpool. This collaboration has fans eager to know not only what to expect on-screen but also what the stars are taking home. Let’s delve into the salaries of these A-listers, considering their past earnings and potential payouts for this highly anticipated movie.
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool Paydays: From $2 Million to Millions
Ryan Reynolds’ journey with Deadpool is a story of perseverance and significant financial reward. Initially, 20th Century Fox was hesitant to fully commit to the project. However, the leaked test footage ignited fan excitement and paved the way for the first Deadpool movie.
Despite the green light, Fox’s initial offer to Reynolds was a modest $2 million. However, Reynolds’ contract included “backend points,” a percentage of the movie’s profits. Deadpool became a box office phenomenon, grossing over $780 million worldwide. As a result, Reynolds reportedly earned approximately $22 million for the first movie, making him one of the highest-paid actors that year.
For Deadpool 2, Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Reynolds took home between $30 million and $40 million, solidifying his status as a major Hollywood player.
| Movie: | Production Budget: | Worldwide Box Office: |
|---|---|---|
| Deadpool | $58,000,000 | $781,947,691 |
| Deadpool 2 | $110,000,000 | $786,362,370 |
| Totals: | $168,000,000 | $1,568,309,061 |
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Fortune: A Legacy of Claws and Cash
Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine has become synonymous with the X-Men franchise. He has played the character for nearly two decades, becoming a global superstar in the process.
According to Screen Rant, Jackman earned roughly $100 million for his work as Wolverine before 2017. While his initial salary for the first X-Men movie was only $500,000, his pay increased significantly over time.
Here’s a breakdown of his reported salaries for some of the X-Men films:
- X-Men: $500,000
- X2: X-Men United: $1 million
- X-Men: The Last Stand: $5 million
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine: $20 million
- The Wolverine: $20 million
- X-Men: Days of Future Past: $7 million
| Movie: | Production Budget: | Worldwide Box Office: |
|---|---|---|
| X-Men | $75,000,000 | $296,872,367 |
| X2: X-Men United | $125,000,000 | $406,348,630 |
| X-Men: The Last Stand | $210,000,000 | $459,260,946 |
| X-Men Origins: Wolverine | $150,000,000 | $374,825,760 |
| The Wolverine | $115,000,000 | $416,456,852 |
| X-Men: Days of Future Past | $200,000,000 | $747,862,775 |
| Logan | $127,000,000 | $614,202,315 |
| Total (Selected Movies): | $3,313,930,645 |
Jackman reportedly took a pay cut for Logan to ensure the film received an R rating. He potentially compensated for the lower salary with a percentage of the backend profits.
Deadpool & Wolverine: Projecting Potential Salaries
While official figures for Deadpool & Wolverine haven’t been released, industry speculation provides some insights.
In 2020, Giant Freakin Robot reported that Ryan Reynolds was set to earn $20 million for Deadpool 3. Given his increased star power and the franchise’s success, it’s reasonable to assume he negotiated a similar or even higher base salary, along with backend points.
Considering Jackman’s return to the iconic role and his established box office draw, it’s likely he commanded a substantial salary as well. It’s plausible he received at least $20 million, matching Reynolds’ reported pay. The final figure could be significantly higher, depending on negotiations and potential backend deals.
Ultimately, Deadpool & Wolverine is poised to be a massive success, and both Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are likely to reap the financial rewards of their involvement.
