A-Listers Losing Their Leverage

by James Hirsen, Newsmax.com

There’s a new reality in Hollywood economics.

While comic book blockbusters such as “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” are cleaning up at the box office, Hollywood movie stars are losing their clout.

Superheroes themselves, and not celebs, are the ones pulling in filmgoers. Consequently, the studios are gaining the upper hand in contract negotiations.

These days a mega-star will only be paid his or her percentage after the studio gets back its costs. It’s called a “cash break” deal.

The big-name participants of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” i.e., Harrison Ford, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, were persuaded to receive their percentages after the studio broke even. And Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Body of Lies,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, settled on a similar arrangement.

Fox actually shelved the film “Used Guys,” which would have starred Ben Stiller and Jim Carrey, over the talent take tussle.

Likewise the movie version of the hit video game “Halo” was deep-sixed by Universal and Fox over a percentage of gross income to producers that the studios wouldn’t go for.

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