Mark Wahlberg Edges Out Dwayne Johnson as Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Actor
Forbes list proves that if you want to make it, star in a superhero blockbuster
Carli Velocci | August 22, 2017 @ 8:07 AM
Last Updated: August 22, 2017 @ 11:37 AM
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Mark Wahlberg is officially the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.
The actor earned $68 million in the last year thanks to a big payday from “Transformers: The Last Knight” and the upcoming “Daddy’s Home 2,” according to Forbes magazine’s annual list.
Wahlberg beat Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who made $65 million — $50 million more than in 2016. That income came from his work on “Baywatch,” the upcoming “Jumanji” reboot and the HBO show “Ballers.”
Other top earners include Johnson’s “Fate of the Furious” co-star Vin Diesel, who made $54.5 million; Adam Sandler, who brought in $50.5 million thanks to his lucrative deal with Netflix; and Jackie Chan, who made $49 million.
The list also proves that if you want to make it, star in a superhero blockbuster. Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was the biggest percentage gainer on the list, his earnings up 250 percent over last year due to an increase in his fees.
There are a number of newcomers in the top 20 this year, including Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo. Renner and Ruffalo’s spots came from their Marvel paychecks. While the Forbes article doesn’t state what comprises Reynolds’ salary, we can assume a lot of it comes from the massively successful “Deadpool” franchise.
It also helps to make it in Bollywood. Three of the top 10 hail from India: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.
The world’s 20 highest-paid actors tallied a combined $720 million between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017, before fees and taxes. The earnings estimates are taken from Nielsen, ComScore, Box Office Mojo and IMDB, and interviews with industry insiders.
You’ll notice a disparity between the actors and actresses lists. Emma Stone became the highest-paid actress on Forbes list, released last week, but took in a $26 million yearly paycheck — significantly less than Wahlberg. In fact, Stone makes less than the top 14 earners, ranking under her “La La Land” co-star Ryan Gosling. Like Gosling, she earned a massive paycheck from the Oscar-winning film.
This year, three women surpassed the $20 million mark, one than in 2016. Together, the top 10 highest-paid actresses earned a combined $172.5 million while the comparable group of actors made $488.5 million.
Forbes attributes the wage gap to the lack of roles for women in major blockbusters, and movies in general.
“In release schedules dominated by superhero movies and brawny blockbusters, there are simply fewer parts for women that pay the sizeable back-end profits that result in leading men’s large paydays, or the franchise sequels that permit aggressive negotiation for favorable deals,” reporter Natalie Robehmed wrote.
From 'Wonder Woman' to 'Kidnap': 12 Movies This Year That Bring Strong Women to the Fore (Photos)
Arguably more than any other year, 2017 is a proving ground for films centered around women. For one, "Wonder Woman" is the highest-grossing movie of the summer, also lassoing more money at the box office than any other male-led DC Extended Universe movie -- including "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Here are 12 movies released in 2017 wherein women take command of the big screen.
Various
"Wonder Woman"
Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) takes a big leap forward in her representation of women in film. Coming from the mystical island of Themyscira, she is untainted by the sexist standards of patriarchal society, therefore making her oblivious to and free from the limitations women often experience.
Release date: June 2
Warner Bros. Pictures
"I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore"
This film depicts Ruth (Melanie Lynskey) fighting back against an unjust world. She simply wants “for people to not be assholes.” It's a wild indie comedy-turned thriller-crime flick in which the heroine manages to find empowerment during an existential crisis.
Release date: Feb. 24
Netflix
"A Woman, A Part"
Starring Maggie Siff as an actress who takes a break from her job, this film deglamorizes Hollywood and addresses industry sexism and misogyny. Feminist director Elizabeth Subrin focuses on emotion rather than the male gaze. It was filmed with a majority female cast and half female crew.
Release date: March 17
Strand Releasing
"Beauty and the Beast"
If there’s one movie in which Disney didn’t mess up the casting, it would be this 2017 live-action remake. Played by real-life feminist-activist-role-model Emma Watson, Belle is unapologetic in her rejection of Gaston and his out-of-step values.
Release date: March 17
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
"The ZooKeeper's Wife"
Although there are many movies that tell powerful stories about those who helped European Jews during the Holocaust, "The ZooKeeper's Wife" recognizes the heroism of women and the risks they took. The film follows the story of Antonina (Jessica Chastain), whose oppressed traditional housewife role doesn't stop her from challenging authority in service of a greater cause.
Release date: March 31
Focus Features
"A Quiet Passion"
Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon) rebels against the constraints of a conventional female role often enforced by male figures, using poetry as an outlet for her sexual frustration and romantic independence.
Release date: April 14
Music Box Films
"Everything, Everything"
Outspoken activist feminist and actress Amandla Stenberg, who has 1.3 million Instagram and 306,000 Twitter followers, is known to use her platform to raise awareness of social and political issues. This young adult movie in which she stars features an interracial relationship -- though the film's focus is not on race. Directed by Stella Meghie, the film is based on a novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon -- whose goal was to create a character that her biracial daughter could finally relate to.
Release date: May 19
Warner Bros. Pictures
"Beatriz at Dinner"
The film focuses on Beatriz (Salma Hayek), a masseuse and healer who is unapologetically vocal about the moral wrongs of a privileged businessman, whose ignorance is insulated by the comfort of his double-gated, wealthy hilltop mansion. Being mistaken as part of “the staff” doesn’t stop her from standing her ground against the ignorant, Trump-esque conservative, who is destroying the world one hunted rhinoceros at a time.
Sofia Copolla's retelling of the 1971 film starring Clint Eastwood reworks it through the perspective of women to highlight gender dynamics and female empowerment. Starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, each character is restricted indoors during the Civil War and yearns to explore beyond the confines of their home. Though the arrival of a Union soldier (Colin Farrell) turns their routine lives upside-down, they prove that a man cannot take away their agency by the end of the film.
Release date: June 23
Focus Features
"Girl's Trip"
Four friends reclaim their youth during a wild and raunchy weekend. “Girl’s Trip” is worth watching for the undeniable chemistry of the “Flossy Posse” -- played by Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish. Using the Essence Festival as the setting celebrates both womanhood and the black community, with some musician cameos as a perk.
Release date: July 21
Universal Pictures
"Atomic Blonde"
The new female 007 is also reminiscent of Charlize Theron in “Mad Max” and “Monster,” in that it epitomizes her knack for portraying strong female lead roles. Objectified and underrated by men in the movie, she fights back at not only KGB agents but also against the patriarchy they represent. Also worth recognizing: In performing many of her own stunts, Theron's training was so hardcore that she cracked her back teeth.
Release date: July 28
Focus Features
"Kidnap"
Halle Berry still has it -- even as a distressed mother in hot pursuit of her abducted son. As a female lead who carries the movie, Berry depicts how women can be strong and brave -- even if they are at their most vulnerable.
Release date: Aug. 4
Aviron Pictures
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Ladies, it’s your time to shine on the big screen
Arguably more than any other year, 2017 is a proving ground for films centered around women. For one, "Wonder Woman" is the highest-grossing movie of the summer, also lassoing more money at the box office than any other male-led DC Extended Universe movie -- including "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Here are 12 movies released in 2017 wherein women take command of the big screen.
Various
Warner Bros. Pictures
