Twilight Series Article: The Rationality Behind the Salary Dispute (Possible Recasting)

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The Rationality Behind the Salary Dispute (Possible Recasting)

posted by mandapanda

Last night, The Hollywood Reporter released a statement about Breaking Dawn. How certain actors, revealed to be Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene, were demanding more money for the movies.

Yes, the Twilight movies are not at all Oscar worthy. They are films that are based on the books we all seemingly love. They don't showcase the actors' talent, if they have any. Comments from different communities jokingly state that Summit would need to pay them alot of money to star in the movies. Which, I'm sure is true for alot of the hardcore fans who believe that the movies haven't done the book series justice.

Setting all jokes aside, and into a more serious note, I am somewhat troubled by this, or by what the fans are saying. The Twilight Fandom has erupted into pandemonium more than once: Twilight cast revealed, Twilight's release, Rachelle Lafevre's recast, New Moon filming in Italy (Bella/Edward kiss), Rob and Kristen at Kings of Leon Concert, Robert and Kristen seen holding hands (arguably for some), etc. This "salary dispute" has cause a minor uproar in the fandom.

Some people are saying that Summit should just pay them. Some are saying that they wouldn't be missed if recast, and that they are replaceable with a better actor/actress.

What do I think Summit should do? Based on this report, not all the details were given. We don't know exactly what is going on besides there is a bit of a money issue. Drama, to put it into loose terms. If Kellan and Ashley are demanding more money, let's look at the cold, hard, evidence.

1) How big is Emmett's character in the books? And how big is Kellan's role in the movies? Answer: Not very big. And in the movies, maybe ten lines tops. Of course that's only Twilight and New Moon.

2) How big is Alice's character in the books? And how big is Ashley's role in the movies? Alice has a bigger role in the book than in the movies, but still, not a major character. Ashley is barely in the movies as well. Of course, her part is probably growing due to a more complicated plotline.

Should they be demanding more money? I mean, we ALL know Summit is cheap and we are always ready to point fingers at them, but let's look at this closely. Why should Kellan and Ashley demand more money when their characters are minor? Surely their paychecks get a little bigger due to more lines in Eclipse, I'm sure, but why ask for an amount (unknown) that may risk in them losing the parts?!

Now, before I go ANY further, let me clarify. I HATE cast changes. I LOATHE them. When Rachelle was replaced, I WAS FURIOUS. And I would be quite upset with Summit if this fiasco wasn't settled, or didn't find a compromise, and that the actors would be replaced. However, why would they request more money? Their parts are probably not that much bigger than Jackson's or Peter's. Jackson has about 5-10 minutes screentime, gathered by the Eclipse screening reviews and early draft of the script. Without Twilight, Kellan and Ashley wouldn't have had a career. At least, not like this. They aren't sought out stars because of their talent, they are sought out because they star in Twilight. Once this franchise is over, I fear they won't have anything to rebound off of, and they will struggle to find jobs, just like it was before Twilight came along.

And do they "star" in Twilight? I wouldn't even consider their minimal work in Twilight, "starring". Ashley, yeah, she had a bigger role in New Moon, but it didn't leave an impact. It's not something you would remember if you weren't a hardcore fan of the movies or books. It pains me to hear the actors demand for more money when they had barely anything to show for it. Kellan was in Nightmare on Elm Street... for 5 minutes. I hardly call that sought after.

Is Summit in the right to threaten kicking them of the wagon? I think so. I'm not one to side with Summit, but if this is how it went down, then I think so. For their egos to be that inflated and to be that high on the horse, I think it's time that this incident brought them down to earth. Time to humble up. Because demanding for a paycheck, just because the movies are doing successfully, isn't professional. It would be nice if Summit did pay them a generous amount, but since their parts are rather small, I don't see why they are complaining about it.

Like I said at the begining of the article. We don't know what happened. We don't know all the details. But, if the incident happened in a similar way to what I had been describing, then Summit has the right. I don't want them to be replaced. I'm not saying they're bad actors because they are mediocre (and Twilight doesn't showcase talent), but because I hate recasts. And, because, they own the characters. Their faces are linked to the characters for a while, and to replace that, it wouldn't be fair to the fans. But, they put themselves in that situation if they are demanding more money. So they are doing it to themselves, and the fans.

My mind is an utter mess right now. I have so many mixed emotions about this subject, and it was hard to write out this article. So, I apologize if it doesn't make sense.

Please comment. I would really love to hear what you have to say about this incident. Let's pray it will get sorted out. It'd be a shame if they were replaced. They are loved in the fandom: as the characters and they themselves. It doesn't mean people will boycott the movies, but it would take the fandom further into the blackhole of pandemonium, further than we already are in. There's no going back to the good ol' days when it was just Twilight Tuesdays and no hatred. Just pure excitement that the movies were being made. *sigh*

My opinion is they should "recast" the screenwriter, Melissa Rosenburg. She's the cause of alot of this mess! But again, that's my personal opinion :) But I'm sure I can find a few people that agree with me ;)

Sorry for rambling! Comments are welcome!

EDIT: The amount Kellan and Ashley are demanding is 4 million each. 4 MILLION DOLLARS. Rob and Kristen get about 10-12 million and they are leads. 4M is a bit high, especially since Emmett and Alice are minor characters.

groovychicklisa, ybet_cullen18 and 5 others like this

ForsakenMoon19 In my opinion after Rachelle was recast I sorta think eclipse deserves to be boycott!!! She was probably the most talented out of the cast and for her to be cut out of Victoria's major villian role in the third film is just crap!!! The actress they picked, Dallas or whatever the hell her name is, does not fit the bill!!! I am sooooo mad at Summit for doing that!!!!!

mandapanda ^Well have you seen her performance? Besides the trailer? I didn't think so. I was disappointed that Rachelle was replaced, but I'm not going to unjustifingly hate Bryce Dallas Howard for being offered the part. It's not her fault.

ForsakenMoon19 Ya but still it was wrong to replace Rachelle especially when her character has a bigger role in Eclipse!!! Bryce looks like a troll in the role, that is the ugliest wig I have ever seen next to Kristen's Bella wig!! Man this movie looks good but I'm very disappointed with the end result no less!!!:(

mandapanda Maybe so. I'm disappointed, but Bryce may surprise us. We never know :)

musiclikelove My only opinion on the matter is that while Kellan and Ashley may seem to be demanding a lot, they really aren't in comparison. Rob and Kristen made $12 million for New Moon, and who knows what they made for Eclipse. Their salaries went up $10 million from Twilight. And they are the main characters, so it makes sense, obviously. But when you compare the small amount that Ashley and Kellan are asking to that of Rob and Kristen, they really aren't demanding as much as people think they are. One thing that people have to consider is that all of these actors are trying to further their careers by doing something outside of Twilight craziness. They want to build lasting careers, and though they probably appreciate all that Twilight has done for them, let's face it, Twilight will be irrelevant in a few years. Breaking Dawn will probably be two movies. At lease that's what appears to be the most likely option at this point. By doing both of those movies, Kellan and Ashley along with the rest of the cast will be required to be apart of the filming days, the promotional tours, and everything else that comes with this franchise. That will halt a lot of their career, and they will have to wait much longer for the Twilight novelty to wear off, and to have the opportunity to be taken seriously as an actor, and be apart of other real movies. All they are asking is for a pay raise. It's not like summit doesn't have the money. The whole thing seems reasonable and negotiable to me. There is no need for replacement when this can all be negotiated. It's not like the actors aren't aware that they're replaceable. Summit has replaced people before. They just want more money. They might be asking for too much, but like I said, it can be negotiated without the ultimatum as long as both sides stay reasonable. And btw, this is not even directed toward you or your article. I'm just writing my opinion on the whole issue in general.

mandapanda Promotional tours are from Summit. Summit requires them to do that, however, their parts are so minimal, that they aren't required to do any promotion for the movie because they are barely in them. They are minor like I have repeatedly been saying. Conventions and what not, are not Summit related. Summit doesn't require them to do that. The people that set those conventions up pay them, not Summit. With that said, demanding a raise, from 750,000 to 4 million dollars is ridiculous. Yes, things can be compromised, but that's completely irrational! I mean, really. In no way will they get that money. NO WAY. Either they lower their demand, or they say goodbye to the franchise.

sheeiur Thanks for posting that. I really hope either one is recast especially Alice Ashley Greeene. However I hate to say it but their roles are not that big and they did recast Victoria it could happen again. I think Niki Reed was smart to change her position and just take the money that was offered.

mandapanda ^ I agree. That's probably one of the smarter moves Nikki has taken. She's usually on alot of Twilight fans' hit lists, so it's good that she did that. It's the rational choice. I mean, really. Demanding or "negotiating" for a bigger paycheck is fine. But the numbers are extremely high, especially for the size of their roles. I love them as the characters, but this move they are trying to pull, it is slowly taking away my respect for them as actors. Not that I had an uptmost high respect for them, but it's making me see them as typical actors, always fighting for a big paycheck. :/

luvutoo I agree with most of you. Asking for more money when you are an established actor is fine. But come on, waiting for the last movie to do it. It seems they are just trying to back them in a corner and think it will be forced out of Summit. Its really not good for business or to the fans. This series will end with Breaking Dawn but after this they still have to work and live. I think they should cool it. Who is gonna want to hire them as new, not so great actors with the reputation of demanding more money in the last movie. They'll be labeled as mediocre actors who are not worth the drama they may bring. Who would cast them. As far as the Victoria role, sorry guys ill just have to wait and see Eclipse to see if it makes a difference. Right now i dont see it being a big deal.

ForsakenMoon19 Well Rachelle has played her twice so she'll always be Victoria in my eyes!!! Bryce is nothing but a big fat Fake with the capital "F"!!! I'm so surprised at alot of you twifans, would've thought majority would see this as blasphemy on Summits part!!! In sequels to film francises I hate when actors get replaced it's soooo stupid!!! The only film that I can think of at the moment where a change was for the best was in Iron Man 2!!! That movie was the bomb!!! The new actor cast as War Machine was a hell of alot better than Terrance Howard!!!! All in all Rachelle is and will always be Victoria!!!!

mandapanda Did you not read my article? I said I hate it when people get recast. I loathe cast changes. I also said I never ever side with Summit. Rachelle owned Victoria, in my opinion. And since Summit had to be douches and replace her, they brought in Bryce. I'm not a fan of Bryce, but I'm not going to hate her for being offered the job. I mean, feel free to read some of my articles on the whole Rachelle Replacement. And actually, Terrance Howard is a way better actor than Don Cheadle. I thought that recast was stupid. But, Terrance asked for more money, just like Kellan and Ashley are doing, and look at Terrance now. He's not a part of Iron Man anymore. So, them being recast could happen if they are not willing negotiate. However, I think it's stupid to negotiate or them to demand more money. They have a total of 10 lines in each movie. Less for Kellan.

x-Sophie-Jade-x On one of the article things it says they are demanding a payrise of a million from what they were offered ... that would mean summit were willing to pay them $3 million dollars? Sorry, but add them together and they still aren't worth half of that. They are getting paid 10x what they were in twilight and yet that still isn't enough? Did they not think this would lose them a lot of fans? people are living in a recession, struggling to get by and feed their families yet fans love this saga so they pay the $15, whatever it is, to see a movie, yet $3 million is not enough? like WTF?? And that's for just the first movie right? so what, they want $8 million for two? To say 5 lines and linger around for a scene or two? whoever told them they were worth that much is delusional. I'm kinda hoping they do recast one or even both of them to knock them down because their egos are getting out of check. They seem to be forgetting one major fact in this, neither of them can actually act. Rant over. They just get me so mad. I can't stand ungrateful people. I feel dirty for actually siding with summit xD

mandapanda Exactly. First off, they aren't even that great of actors. But, like I said, Twilight barely showcases any talent whatsoever. Disregarding Twilight, what do they have to show for themselves as actors? NOTHING. Ashley did one McDonald's commercial and modeling. Kellan did Generation Kill which I hadn't even heard of until Twilight came along. Combining their lines in both Twilight and New Moon isn't worth very much. At all. And it kind of makes me sick that they are demanding money when they don't even have anything to show for it. I don't want to judge them since we don't know the whole story, but I will say that their egos are inflated and that they should come back down. Otherwise they can say goodbye to their jobs. It's happened before. It can happen again. And haha! Yeah. I'm actually on Summit's side this time.

Andressa_Weld I won't see the movie without Kellan!! I don't like Ashley so much, but Kellan is everything to me!! When I read the books I loved Rosalie, but I didn't care to Emmett! But after the movie I felt in love with him! I felt for Kellan! He's funny, he is lovely, he would die for his dogs, he's romantic, he's cute, he's absolutely hot, he's a great actor, he's polite, he's everything I always wished! I really felt in love with him! I have more than 100 posters of him, I wrote several letters for him, I follow him on Twitter! And now I can't fall in love with anyone else!! I broke up with my boyfriend, because he isn't Kellan. And now they want to replace him? No! The can't!! If the do it, I'll not see the movie!! No way! I can't imagine other Emmett!! I'll still love the series, and I'll still read the books.

x-Sophie-Jade-x I totally agree with you mandapanda, but when someone can actually say your acting in twilight was bad, you know you've got problems. If the standard is that low and you still slip under it, you should be lucky you've got a job at all. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. And when they say they do just as much promotion, don't they get paid extra to promote the films? And it's not they had to fly all over the world in just a few days, driving across the state isn't exactly a trip around Europe.

mandapanda LOL well, that's the problem. No one ever says that their acting is bad to their face. So, they think they are the shiz because the movies are doing so well. It's not the acting that everyone likes. It's the books. That's what MADE the movies. And I'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote in a previous comment as a reply to what your second point was: Promotional tours are from Summit. Summit requires them to do that, however, their parts are so minimal, that they aren't required to do any promotion for the movie because they are barely in them. They are minor like I have repeatedly been saying. Conventions and what not, are not Summit related. Summit doesn't require them to do that. The people that set those conventions up pay them, not Summit. /End of pasting When they say they do as much promotion... exactly what do they promote? They can't promote because they are barely in the movies! I mean, yeah, they go to Twicon. But that is set up by FANS. Not the studio! They say they do as much promotion as Rob and Kristen? Bullcrap. Those two have gone on a 2 week promo tour. Each day, being in a different city, promoting their characters. Studio requires that. Summit doesn't call upon Ashley or Kellan because their characters aren't big. At all.

zanesaaomgfan They deserve more money though. Yes Ashley and Emmett have very small roles but the movie companies need to give them some $$! I'm starting to think that. EDIT: I read your edit. 4 Million?!?! Thats not right. Its like saying a character in a background nobody notices is going to want 1 million dollars! Thats not right! I mean, they don't get allot but, only because they are minor characters. They HAD to change Rachelle so I'm fine with that. But just please don't kill those two. Plus, I don't know what Ashley is SAYING because [u]SHE IS BELLA'S FRIEND![/u] and have you noticed that allot of people [i](including Twi-Haters)[/i] seem to love Alice. :\ It doesn't seem right. So I'm part Alice&Kellan and Park Summit Entertainment. Breaking Dawn is gonna have allot of problems if those two leave.

x-Sophie-Jade-x I don't think it will have problems if they are booted out, they will recast them with actors who are willing to except less than half what Ashley and Kellan were offered and they will film. and the holy trinity will promote and it will be successful. End of story. Ashley are Kellan certainly aren't the be all and end all of the film, they aren't even big plays in the success of the films. It's not even about not Ashley & Kellan. It' about Alice & Emmett. Someone needs to remind them about that while they still have a job...

mandapanda Yeah. I mean, it would be a shame if they were recast, but they are HARDLY in Breaking Dawn. I mean.. Alice is mia for 3/4s of the book! There's no need to demand this much money. Taylor gets paid 7.5 million. They are saying they want half of that each?! I mean really. I'm not one to defend Taylor or side with him, but he's earning that much because he has a bigger role. Looking at the facts, it's not reasonable for them to demand that much.

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