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Denzel Washington is one of the most accomplished actors of his generation, having appeared in a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies. He is also among the few actors who have managed to maintain their star presence while effortlessly assimilating into a variety of characters with different shades.
Washington played one such character in the 2012 filmFlight. However, given the film’s unconventional nature, Washington had to go to great lengths to ensure the project was properly financed. In the process, the actor also had to forgo his usual hefty paycheck but ended up proving that it was possible to make a mid-budget commercial movie.
Denzel Washington Explained His Pay Cut ForFlight
ActorDenzel Washingtonplayed Captain William “Whip” Whitaker in the 2012 filmFlight. The film received positive reviews from critics and earned Washington a Best Actor Academy Award nomination. It was also a box office success,grossing$161.8 million against a $31 million budget.
During an interview withDeadline, Washington opened up about working on the mid-budget movie. The actor revealed that he was so impressed with the script, that he agreed to take a pay cut to make the movie at the budget the studio was willing to greenlight it.
It’s a tenth of my salary. You do the math.
Washington made the above statement when asked about the reduced salary he charged for the project.
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The same report claimed that Washington typically charged roughly $20 million upfront for his movies. Given his commercial success as a leading man, such a figure isn’t unwarranted. However, Washington admitted that he had to reduce his fees because it would have made the project too expensive.
Denzel Washington Revealed What Attracted Him to theFlightScript
When Washington appeared inFlight, it was a pretty unconventional role for him given the film’s grey and complex characterization of its protagonist. However, in an interview with theLA Times, the actor admitted that he was attracted to the script primarily because it was different from his usual roles.
I hadn’t done anything like it. And the fact that [Gatins] made it about a pilot was absolutely the most dramatic thing he could do.
TheGladiator IIstar made the above comment on why he was so invested in the project and could not pass on it.
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In the same interview, directorRobert Zemeckisrevealed that he was hooked by the screenplay in just ten pages and found it hard to put down. He said:
What intrigued me the most was how everything and every character was complex.
From Washington and Zemeckis’ words, it is evident that John Gatins’ screenplay was too interesting and unique for them to pass upon the opportunity to produce it. Hence, the duo did not mind forgoing their usual salaries and also contended with a smaller budget to make the project happen.
Flightis streaming on Peacock.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1773
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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Denzel WashingtonRobert Zemeckis
