by Johnny Depp’s Salary for Edward Scissorhands
When Tim Burton cast Johnny Depp as the titular character in Edward Scissorhands in 1990, it marked a turning point in Depp’s career. The role of the lonely but kind-hearted man with scissors for hands catapulted Depp into the A-list of Hollywood actors. But how much did Johnny Depp earn for playing Edward Scissorhands?
While the exact figure remains a mystery, industry estimates suggest Depp’s salary for Edward Scissorhands was in the range of $3 to $4 million. For context, let’s consider the following:
Depp’s Career Stage at the Time
In 1990, Johnny Depp was a rising star but not yet an A-list actor. He had starred in films like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Cry-Baby, and Edward Scissorhands marked his first collaboration with Tim Burton. However, none of his previous roles had the same impact or success as Edward Scissorhands.
Compared to Other Actors’ Salaries at the Time
In 1990, $3 to $4 million would have been a significant paycheck for an actor of Depp’s stature. Top Hollywood stars in the late 80s and early 90s were earning between $5 to $15 million per film. So Depp likely landed toward the higher end of the scale for rising stars.
Box Office Success and Future Earnings
Edward Scissorhands was a box office success, grossing over $86 million worldwide against its $20 million budget. This commercial success undoubtedly helped raise Depp’s quote for future films. His next several roles paid him increasingly higher salaries, cementing his place as a bankable leading man.
Depp’s Own Comments
Depp has said in interviews that he felt Tim Burton “overpaid” him for Edward Scissorhands, considering his career stage at the time. This suggests the salary Burton offered Depp was higher than what he expected to make for the role.
Lack of Verified Sources
While industry publications at the time estimated Depp’s salary between $3 to $4 million, there are no verified sources that have confirmed an exact figure. Salary details for older films are often kept private and only estimates make it to the press.
In Summary
Though we can’t say for certain how much Johnny Depp earned for Edward Scissorhands, the available information points to a salary in the ballpark of $3 to $4 million. For Depp’s career at the time, this paycheck would have been on the higher end for a rising star. The role undoubtedly changed the trajectory of Depp’s career, allowing him to command increasingly higher salaries for his future films. Edward Scissorhands remains one of Depp’s most iconic and beloved performances to date.
The larger takeaway is that salary details for older films can be difficult to verify with 100% certainty. But industry estimates coupled with context about an actor’s career stage, comparable salaries, and box office success can provide reasonable insight into an approximate salary range. In Johnny Depp’s case for Edward Scissorhands, all signs point to a figure within the $3 to $4 million bracket.
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