American actor Mark Wahlberg announced he would donate $1.5 million - the money he earned for reshooting a part of the “All the Money in the World” movie- to a fund that legally defends women, after reports said that his colleague Michelle Williams, who partook in the same movie, received less than $1000 for the reshooting.
On his Twitter account, Wahlberg said: “Over the last few days my reshoot fee for 'All the Money in the World' has become an important topic of conversation," I 100% support the fight for fair pay and I'm donating the $1.5 million to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams' name," he added.
Director Ridley Scott resumed the shooting of the movie in November, one month before its show, after its star Kevin Spacey faced sexual misconduct allegations.
Spacey has been replaced by Christopher Plummer, and Scott said that the other actors agreed to reshoot “for free”.
However, the USA Today newspaper revealed that Wahlberg, in fact, got $1.5 million to re-shoot his scenes in 10 days, while Williams earned only $80 a day.
It is worth noting that both Williams and Wahlberg are represented by the same acting agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), which also agreed to donate $500,000 to the Time’s UP legal defense fund.
The company said in a statement: “the reports highlighting wage discrepancies are a "reminder" for officials who should shoulder their responsibilities in fighting inequalities, including the gender-based wages gap. It is important that these efforts continue within our community, and we are committed to being part of the solution."
Commenting on the announcement, Williams applauded the reports talking about Wahlberg’s donation.
In a statement published by the US media, including the Deadline website, Williams said: “Today isn’t about me. My fellow actresses stood by me and stood up for me, my activist friends taught me to use my voice, and the most powerful men in charge, they listened and they acted,”
“If we truly envision an equal world, it takes equal effort and sacrifice. Today is one of the most indelible days of my life because of Mark Wahlberg, WME and a community of women and men who share in this accomplishment,” she added. Referring to the actor who first accused actor Kevin Spacey of misconduct, she said: “Anthony Rapp, for all the shoulders you stood on, now we stand on yours.”
The “Time’s Up” campaign was founded this month by over 300 women working in the fields of cinema, television and theater. Legal funding will be provided to persons who have been harassed or sexually abused in workplace.
