Actor, Mark Wahlberg dontes $1.5m reward for film reshoots to Time’s Up fund
By Sewe Ishola,
Hollywood actor, Mark Wahlberg has donated the $1.5m he made for reshoots on the film, All the Money in the World to the sexual misconduct defense initiative Time’s Up in the name of his co- star, Michelle Williams.
The actor’s co-star, Williams was reportedly paid less than $1,000 for the reshoots, while Wahlberg got $1.5m.
The director of the shoot, Scott Ridley had earlier stated that all the actors involved in the reshoot had done it for free until it came to light that Wahlberg was paid in the millions.
Anonymous sources told USA Today that Wahlberg was paid $1.5m, and Williams less than $1,000.
“I heard for the reshoot she got $80 a day compared to his MILLIONS,” tweeted actress Jessica Chastain. “Would anyone like to clarify? I really hope that with everything coming to light, she was paid fairly. She’s a brilliant actress and is wonderful in the film.”
The agency, William Morris Endeavor represents both actors and said it will donate an additional $500,000, also in Williams’ name.
The controversy comes at a time of increasing awareness and anger at sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, especially against women, touched off by revelations of years of sexually predatory behavior by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
That same movement convinced director Ridley Scott to pursue a reshoot in the first place, after one of the movie’s stars, Kevin Spacey, was accused of sexual misconduct. The reshoots occurred over 10 days after Christopher Plummer replaced Spacey in the film.
Plummer and Williams were nominated for Golden Globes for their performances in the film, which concerns the kidnapping of the son of the billionaire J Paul Getty.
Williams had no immediate comment on Saturday. Wahlberg said he “100%” supports the right for fair pay in Hollywood.
In an open letter published on 1 January, Time’s Up argued, “systemic gender inequality and imbalance of power” in the workplace “fosters an environment that is ripe for abuse and harassment against women”.
One of the collective’s projects was to establish a legal defense fund to assist women in less privileged professions to combat sexual harassment and assault in their workplaces.