Cate Blanchett, acclaimed for her role in the blockbuster “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” recently shed light on an unexpected aspect of her compensation for the film.
In an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Blanchett participated in the game “Plead the Fifth,” where she was asked about the project for which she received the largest paycheck. Cohen guessed “The Lord of the Rings,” but Blanchett was quick to dispel the notion.
“Are you kidding me?” Blanchett responded with surprise. “No. No one got paid anything to do that movie.”
When Cohen inquired whether she received a share of the film’s backend profits, a common practice where stars earn a percentage of ticket sales, Blanchett confirmed otherwise. “That was way before any of that,” she explained. “No, nothing.”
Blanchett revealed that her motivation for joining the 2001 film was her admiration for director Peter Jackson, known for his earlier work, including the 1992 horror comedy “Braindead.” She humorously noted, “I mean, I basically got free sandwiches. And I got to keep my ears.”
In her role as Galadriel, the ethereal elf, Blanchett contributed to the film’s monumental success, which grossed nearly $900 million worldwide. She is now promoting her latest film, “Borderlands,” which hits theaters this Friday.
