The former Harry Potter star plays Belle in the live-action Disney movie, fronts most of the publicity campaign and has been heavily promoting the piece across the media. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she should be rewarded handsomely.
If reports are to be believed, she received an upfront payment of $ 3 million – which could greatly swell depending on ticket receipts.
It is said that that cheque could increase to $ 15 million if the movie performs as well as Maleficent, another Disney live-action effort with a strong female lead.
Angelina Jolie, that film’s titular star, is thought to have pocketed $ 20 million when the spin-off achieved worldwide takings of $ 759 million.
In contrast, Will Smith is claimed to have demanded $ 20 million to star in a live-action remake of Dumbo but was turned down.
“The IP is the star of the movie,” a producer claimed.
“If you hired Jennifer Lawrence as Belle, would it really make a difference in the opening [of Beauty and the Beast]? Unlikely.”
Furthermore, the same publication reports that Disney has been “penny-pinching” with its stars: Dan Stevens was allegedly denied a rental car upgrade to accommodate his two children.