The controversy surrounding Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson’s pay difference in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is just one example of the intense debates that the entertainment industry is known for igniting. Even though some people think Pitt is the only one to blame for Henson’s low pay, several fan analyses seek to disentangle the issues and refute this claim.
Pitt is one of the most successful actors in the world today, with a net worth of $400 million. Not only has he appeared in numerous award-winning films, but he has amassed quite a fortune for himself as a result of his large salary. Although he amassed millions of dollars from his roles, his co-star in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button broke down in tears over their pitiful pay. She even managed to earn some flak for claiming to be paid less than Pitt.
Meanwhile, fans argue that Pitt should not be blamed for the negative reaction, citing Henson’s meager 16 minutes and 13 seconds of screen time in comparison to Pitt’s two hours in the film.
Taraji P. Henson Was Paid a Pitiful Amount Less Than Brad Pitt?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received 13 Oscar nominations, winning three, and was a box office smash. Taraji P. Henson was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, propelling her even further into the spotlight. Speaking about it, the actress stated on the Ladies First with Laura Brown podcast:
“It wasn’t until ‘Benjamin Button’ actually because I had started making my way. You know, when you’re first starting you have to build up to a quote. So me and my tea, we had felt like we’d finally gotten to this place where I could ask for half a million! That’s all we were asking for. Couldn’t get it.”
However, the actress received a far smaller salary than $500,000; she was given a total of $150,000. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, who costarred with her, won millions of dollars. Henson recalled:
“I don’t know exactly how much Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett…I’m sure they got whatever their quote, which was WAY more than what I would probably see in my lifetime because they not paying actors that much anymore..”
She continued by saying that her co-stars should have received the same compensation as her, even though she received much less. In her words:
“They deserved that okay, because when this comes out people are coming because of Brad, and they’re going to discover me. I’m bringing a certain amount to the seat too and I felt like what I was asking at that time in my career was fair, was fair to the ticket sales that I would contribute to this big film. Wouldn’t do it. They did $100,000 is what they offered right away and then I was gutted. When it was all said and done I got $150,000, but I had to swallow my pride baby.”
Well, it seems her Oscar nomination and the praise she received for the role were a major factor in her ability to request a better pay package.
Supportive Stance of Fans: Was Brad Pitt to Blame for Taraji P. Henson’s Low Salary?
Let’s put ourselves in Brad Pitt’s shoes (oh, how fashionable they’d be!). Star power, box office appeal, and the project’s overall potential are just a few of the many factors that go into negotiating a film contract. While Pitt’s performance as Benjamin Button received more screen time and character development than Taraji P. Henson’s, the former’s role clearly carried more weight. Blame-shifting is not the solution; instead, it is important to take into account the complexities of negotiation.
It is evident as this heated discussion comes to an end that blaming Pitt alone oversimplifies a complex problem. The fans’ reasoning was also clear from what they said (via YouTube);
“Who makes these arguements? You have to be completely mentally defunct to think Brad Pitt shouldn’t be paid more than a no name actor or actress regardless of colour..”
“My god nobody can do the math nowadays. Bigger name=bigger check. More time=more money.”
“Brad Pitt worked his way to the top by appearing in small roles that led to big roles and an Oscar. He deserves all that money.”
“He deserves every penny! I dunno who Taraji is!”
“Taraji is coming out now with wage discrepancies but these conversations are always better for affect on lower tier folks anyhow. Everyone gets paid their worth if they have a good agent and leverage. Star power is star power.”
Also Read: Brad Pitt is Only the 13th Hottest Actor of 2023: Ryan Gosling, Tom Holland Not Even in Top 5
Ah, screen time, that ageless tango! It is a fact that big names and big roles are what the big-screen industry is all about. The movie’s main narrative thread was definitely Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Benjamin Button. In contrast, Queenie, played by Taraji P. Henson, was a supporting character with little time on screen.
Stream The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Paramount Plus.
