Cate Blanchett Claims Lord of the Rings Cast Wasn't Paid

In a recent appearance on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," actress Cate Blanchett shared surprising insights about her earnings from the iconic film "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Despite the film's massive success, grossing nearly $900 million worldwide, Blanchett revealed that the cast did not receive substantial paychecks. When asked by Cohen if it was her highest-paying role, she emphatically stated, “No one got paid anything to do that movie.” Blanchett further clarified that she did not receive a share of the film's backend profits, a common practice for major stars in blockbuster films. “That was way before any of that,” she explained, indicating that the financial arrangements for the film were not as lucrative as one might expect for a project of its scale. The actress expressed her primary motivation for joining the film was the opportunity to work with director Peter Jackson, whom she admired for his earlier work, including the cult classic "Braindead." She humorously noted that her compensation consisted of “free sandwiches” and the chance to keep her ears, referring to her role as the ethereal elf Galadriel. Currently, Blanchett is promoting her new film "Borderlands," which is set to hit theaters this Friday, showcasing her continued presence in the film industry despite the financial disparities she experienced in her earlier career.