Mark Wahlberg Pledges To Donate His Controversial $1.5 Million Reshoot Money

A few days ago, everyone was losing their minds over Mark Wahlberg making more money than his female co-star, Michelle Williams. Long story short, he was paid $1.5 million for reshooting scenes in the movie “All The Money In The World,” while Williams got less than $1,000.

But new information reveals ugly math behind the Hollywood victory. The reshoot cost $10 million (a fee put up by producing arm Imperative). In December, Scott told USA TODAY that the undertaking was aided by the fact that “everyone did it for nothing.”

The exchange went as follows:

RIDLEY SCOTT: “The whole reshoot was — in normal terms was expensive but not as expensive as you think. Because all of them, everyone did it for nothing.”

USA TODAY: “Really?”

SCOTT: “No, I wouldn’t get paid, I refused to get paid.”

USA TODAY: “You didn’t pay the actors more to do it?”

SCOTT: “No, they all came in free. Christopher had to get paid. But Michelle, no. Me, no. I wouldn’t do that to — ”

USA TODAY: “The crew, of course, did get paid?”

SCOTT: “Of course. “

USA TODAY has since learned Wahlberg’s team actually negotiated a hefty fee, with the actor paid $1.5 million for his reshoots. Williams wasn’t told.

As I wrote before, it sucks for her, but maaaaaaaaaaybe she should get better people to negotiate on her behalf. Just a suggestion. And maybe liberal directors shouldn’t be gigantic hypocrites. Just another suggestion.

This fiasco only proved one thing: Hollywood is filled with slimy hypocrites who have no room to preach to us about anything.

Still, everyone immediately shouted “GENDER WAGE GAAAAAAPPPPPP!”

On the day after display of female power at the #goldenglobes, I learned that there was an egregious pay gap between Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg for the All the Money in the World reshoot. Did they think this wouldn’t come out? Unacceptable #TimesUp

— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) January 9, 2018

I started this last night and now it has been confirmed by others. Michelle Williams paid under 1,000 and Mark Wahlberg paid 1.5m. Williams was told they were all donating their time for the reshoots. THIS IS AN EGREGIOUS GENDER PAY GAP. #paymichelle https://t.co/edORyoNkgf https://t.co/red4f2LQF4

— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) January 10, 2018

she was told everyone was working for free. per diem is separate. But he was a dick and so in order to get it done they gave him the money and they expected her to just live with it. No More Silence on these issues. #timesup

— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) January 10, 2018

People were furious with Mark Wahlberg. I fail to see why. The dude is a well-known actor who has some pretty darn good negotiators. The end.

Nope. Not the end. Wahlberg felt the pressure and decided to donate the $1.5 million in Williams’ name.

At the same time, WME, which reps Wahlberg, Williams and Scott, has also pledged $500,000 in a donation to #TimesUp.

Wahlberg issued this statement: “Over the last few days my reshoot fee for All The Money in the World has become an important topic of conversation. I 100% support the fight for fair pay and I’m donating the $1.5 million to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams’ name.

It’s his decision, but I still don’t think he should feel guilty about it. I mean, Williams bragged about not taking a salary. That’s her ordeal. She should hire better people or be OK with other people taking money that is offered to them. That’s all I’m saying.

Said WME in a statement: “The current conversation is a reminder that those of us in a poition of influence have a responsibility to challenge inequities, including the gender wage gap. In recognition of the pay discrepancy on All The Money In The World reshoots, WME is donating an additional $500,000 to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams’ name, following our $1 million pledge to the organization earlier this month. It’s crucial that this conversation continues within our community and we are committed to being part of the solution.”

Thoughts?

h/t Deadline