The Odyssey earned $264 million (£206 million) in just one weekend, surpassing its $250 million (£195 million) budget. Within that revenue is a payment structure that could make several of Hollywood's biggest stars some of the highest-paid actors of the year.
If the film maintains its momentum, cast members who took smaller upfront payments for a share of profits may soon earn significantly more than their contracts. This is the potential of Hollywood's backend system, and Christopher Nolan's ensemble could be set to benefit.
How Nolan and His Cast Split the Profits
The structure works like a waterfall. At the top sits Nolan himself, reportedly on a $20 million (£15.6 million) advance against 20% of the studio's total box office gross. This deal, known as a first-dollar gross deal, guarantees him payment from the very first ticket sold.
Backend deals for actors involve complex layers that activate when a film hits certain revenue thresholds, such as $500 million, $700 million, and $900 million.
As these milestones are reached, the payout percentage increases. Unlike directors such as Nolan, who have guaranteed earnings, actors' payouts depend on film performance, particularly during the opening weekend.
Why Opening Weekend Is Only Phase One
A production with a $250 million budget doesn't need to earn the same amount to be profitable. Factoring in marketing expenses, analysts suggest applying a 2.5x multiplier. This means The Odyssey would need to gross around $600 million (£468 million) worldwide to achieve true profitability, at which point backend revenue for the cast starts to swell. A strong opening weekend gets the film there faster, but reaching that figure takes time.
Who Stands To Make the Most
Matt Damon, leading as Odysseus on a reported $15 million (£11.7 million) base, has by far the most screen time and the most to gain if a percentage clause exists. Tom Holland, as Telemachus on a reported $10 million (£7.8 million) base, sits just behind him.
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, despite their star power, had considerably less screen time as Athena and Antinous, which usually means smaller backend equity even where a deal is in place, since points tend to match a role's size rather than a name's fame.
Further down the list, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron reportedly negotiated fees between $4 million and $5 million (£3.1 million to £3.9 million), while supporting cast members including Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page and Mia Goth are said to have signed base fees between $1 million and $2 million (£780,000 to £1.56 million).
Guaranteed Millions vs. the Big Gamble
Universal has not confirmed these figures, and whether backend clauses exist for the wider ensemble remains unverified. What is certain, however, is that the further down the call sheet an actor sits, the less likely they are to hold a meaningful percentage of the gross.
Yet the gamble for the main stars mirrors the one taken by Oppenheimer's cast: trade a smaller cheque up front for a shot at a massive windfall once global milestones are reached. Nolan remains guaranteed the largest sum regardless of where the box office lands, but if The Odyssey clears its $600 million (£468 million) hurdle, he will not be the only one celebrating a record-breaking payday when the final receipts are tallied.
