Cate Blanchett, known for her role as the high elf Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, recently revealed in an interview that she was not paid much for her work in the iconic film. Despite the immense success of the franchise, Blanchett stated that she basically received payment in the form of sandwiches and was able to keep her elf ears as a souvenir.
During a media tour for her latest film Borderlands, Blanchett was asked which movie in her career she had earned the most from. When the host suggested Lord of the Rings, she laughed off the idea, emphasizing that no one really received significant payment for their roles in the fantasy epic. She highlighted the lack of actor residuals for box office performance during that time and also touched upon the gender pay gap in the industry, stating that women often do not receive as much compensation as men.
Blanchett’s decision to work with Peter Jackson was influenced by her admiration for his cult classic film Braindead, and she saw the opportunity to portray Galadriel as a unique and exciting challenge. Despite the financial aspect, the experience of being part of such a monumental project was rewarding in itself.
Now, Blanchett is taking on the role of the bounty hunter Lilith in Borderlands, a new film adaptation that has not received favorable reviews so far. Some speculate that she joined the project for a larger paycheck, while Blanchett herself mentioned that she wanted to immerse herself in a new role amidst the chaos of the pandemic.
It is unfortunate to hear that an acclaimed actress like Cate Blanchett did not receive fair compensation for her work in Lord of the Rings, especially considering the massive success of the trilogy. This revelation sheds light on the challenges that actors, particularly women, face in terms of pay equity in the entertainment industry. Blanchett’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of advocating for equal pay and fair treatment for all performers in the industry.
