Summary
Tim Miller directed the blockbuster 2016 filmDeadpool. While it broke records, it wasn’t very profitable for the director.Deadpoolis Miller’s film directorial debut and was a major success for 20th Century Fox.
The film tells the story of Wade Wilson, a former Special Forces operative, before he became the Merc with a Mouth. Wade was diagnosed with terminal cancer, so he turned to an experimental drug involving the Weapon X program, which sped up his healing but left him disfigured. The movie blended dark humor with the titular character’s thirst for revenge, and the storyline was a hit with the audience.Deadpoolbecame the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time, making $782.6 million worldwide. However, Miller, who was a new director then, didn’t make as much as the studios.
During a panel at CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil, Miller shared how much he made from directingDeadpool. The director said he only received $225,000 despite the film’s massive success. While the salary was significant, the project wasn’t a “moneymaker” machine for him,considering the amount of time they spent on the film. “You guys might not know, but it’s not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood, and I’ll tell you exactly,” Miller shared, per Collider.
I got $225,000 to directDeadpool. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that’s not a ton of money. Not that I’m not grateful, I’m f****ng grateful, that’s the way it is because you’re supposed to when you’re a first-time director. My agent said, ‘Dude, you make more on an episode ofThe Walking Dead!’
Miller shared his salary from the movie because he saw tons ofDeadpoolfigurines at the venue. He jokingly said he wished there was merchandise like it when he was involved in the project so he could make money. Regardless, he was proud that he was once part of it. “You know what I feel? Nothing but pride. I mean, I feel like every time I walk down the aisles out there on the floor of CCXP and I see all theseDeadpoolfigurines, I think they wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t made that film,” he said, referring to the first movie. “And I feel uniquely fortunate that I could be part of it. Then, then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising so that I could get some money from all of that.”
Despite Miller’s significant contribution toDeadpool’ssuccess, he left the franchise due to creative differences withRyan Reynolds, who played the lead role and produced the movie. According to him, the actor wanted to “control the franchise.”
There is no doubt that Miller played a significant role in the success of the firstDeadpoolmovie. However, it might sound disappointing, but it’s also true that not every director makes a lot of money from a successful project. In Miller’s case, since it was his directorial debut, the project served as a way for him to build his credibility and exposure as a director instead of a financial gateway. First-time directors are often willing to work for less in exchange for an opportunity for a lifetime or a project that can establish their careers. Miller would have probably earned more if he were still part of the franchise since the first movie spawned two more films.Deadpool & Wolverine,the third movie starring Reynolds andHugh Jackmanwas also a major box-office success. But Miller’s choice to leave the franchise was something he felt was better for him and that was okay. After losingDeadpool, Miller went on to executive produce the successfulSonic the Hedgehogfranchise.Sonic 3, released this month, is also a major success, prompting Paramount Picture to greenlight a fourth movie.
Deadpoolmovies stream on Disney Plus.
Deadpool
Deadpool is a franchise focused on the Marvel antihero Deadpool, the cheeky red masked mutant who is famous for often breaking the fourth wall. Originally a terminally ill cancer patient, Deadpool was given a serum that activated a gene in his body to heal his illness. This left him severely disfigured, hence his trademark outfit.
