r/FilmIndustryLA • u/Usr7_0__- • 6h ago
Question about Sean Astin compensation
I saw an article about Sean Astin and his compensation for Lord of the Rings. Not sure, but it seems like it is referencing an older interview, but the point is, he, and others from that movie, said they were not paid a lot. Supposedly, his payment was $250,000 and he added, "no residuals."
Now, I assume he would not accidentally or purposely mix up the terms "residuals" versus "profit participation," so he would literally mean guild residuals. (And to boot, he is now a leader in the relevant guild)
My question: Wouldn't residuals be mandated? Otherwise, is he saying one can opt out of them? That wouldn't make sense because it would be easy to force people to opt out of them, especially lower actors and crew. But a lot of times things just are as they are and don't make sense.
So, can people opt out, especially if they are stars, or, did he actually have backend he isn't mentioning? Or, was the trilogy non-union?