Leave it up to Forbes to continually find ways to make new lists full of people who make a lot more money than you do. Their latest has caused a bit of a stir online because it has to do with which actors and actresses are the most overpaid in Hollywood. So basically, which folks aren't providing the best return on the studio's investment? Topping the list, surprisingly (or not surprisingly), is Will Ferrell – who churned out the big-budgeted bomb that was Land of the Lost earlier this summer, which cost Universal $100 million to make and only earned $65 million.
To break it down a little more, for every dollar Ferrell was paid, his films earned an average of $3.29. That's not good. To put it in perspective, for every dollar that someone like Shia LaBeouf was paid, his films earned a whopping $160. Now there's your best investment! So does this mean people are tired of seeing Will Ferrell clown it up as one man-child after another in a series of mediocre comedies? Perhaps. Or maybe he's just choosing the wrong films.
Other actors and actresses on Forbes list include Ewan McGregor, Billy Bob Thornton, Eddie Murphy, Ice Cube, Tom Cruise and – get this – even Leonardo DiCaprio. The only female present on the list is Drew Barrymore, whose indie Lucky You kinda tanked at the worldwide box office with only $8 million.
Now it doesn't say how much any of these actors (and actress) demand for each role, as I imagine it fluctuates depending on a particular contract, but those are figures I'd definitely be interested in seeing in Forbes next list. Perhaps they can call it…How Much Are They Really Worth?
What do you think? Is Will Ferrell just overpaid, or is he also overrated?
