Deceased actor Marlon Brando is lauded for his groundbreaking performances and contribution to the world of entertainment. Being one of the most versatile actors of his time, the iconic figure’s salary in Christopher Reeve’s Superman was way more than anyone could imagine.
Despite the leading actor disliking the attitude that Brando carried on the sets of his films, he was reportedly paid a whopping amount of $3.7 million for portraying Jor-El for less than ten minutes. Not only did he receive a handsome amount, but also received a portion from Superman‘s success, initiating the rise of the superhero genre and excitement among fans.
Marlon Brando Received a Whooping $3.7 Million For a Screentime Less Than Ten Minutes
Among the legendary figures of the entertainment world, Marlon Brando stands out as one of them. The deceased actor has left an incredible mark on the industry by showcasing his versatility and exceptional skill in delivering impactful performances. The actor played a brief role in Christopher Reeve‘s Superman and was reportedly paid $3.7 million for his screen time of less than ten minutes (via Y! Entertainment).
Apart from his salary, Brando also received around $19 million from the film’s triumphant success. During his time, The Godfather actor rose to stardom, and considering his name and reputation in the industry, he was able to negotiate a desirable amount for playing Jor-El. Fans were thrilled after Reeve’s debut as Superman who was sent to Earth to transform into its protector. The film also featured the showdown between the hero and the iconic villain Lex Luthor which became a significant part of Richard Donner‘s film.
Marlon Brando Had a Noble Intention From Superman‘s Earnings
Many might wonder why the legendary figure received a whopping amount despite a shorter period of screen time, Marlon Brando had a remarkable and noble intention behind demanding $3.7 million. According to Collider, the Free Money star wanted to fund a documentary about Native Americans who faced discrimination.
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However, Christopher Reeve openly shared his thoughts about Brando’s attitude and mentioned disliking it. According to THR, the Rear Window star believed Marlon Brando could have been a leader and inspiration for young actors by taking leadership in Superman. He said:
“I don’t worship at the altar of Marlon Brando, because I feel he’s copped out in a certain way… I just think it would be sad to be 53, or whatever he is, and not give a damn, that’s all… He just took the $2 million [salary] and ran.”
The actor even mentioned Brando “phoning it in” while he was being grateful for working with a legendary figure. Despite having a choice to cast A-list actors as Superman, the director chose an unknown face to portray the iconic hero, and as expected, the audience loved Reeve’s performance. After the 1978 film, Christopher Reeve became a renowned actor and made his name in the acting industry.
Superman is available on Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
How much was Marlon Brando paid for Superman?
Marlon Brando earned an upfront fee of about 3.7 million dollars for the 1978 Superman, plus roughly 19 million dollars more through profit participation as the film became a hit. Remarkably, this compensation was for less than ten minutes of screen time as Jor-El, Superman’s biological father on the planet Krypton.
What role did Brando play, and why was he cast?
Brando played Jor-El, the Kryptonian father who sends the infant Superman to Earth. The producers wanted his established star power to lend prestige to a big-budget gamble headlined by the then-unknown Christopher Reeve. Brando reportedly took the role partly to help fund a documentary about discrimination faced by Native Americans.
What did Christopher Reeve think of Brando’s approach?
Christopher Reeve was critical, feeling Brando essentially phoned in the performance rather than serving as a leader on set. Reeve said he did not worship at the altar of Marlon Brando because he felt the veteran actor had copped out, suggesting Brando took the money and ran rather than fully investing in the film.
