The back-end deals that made these movie stars incredibly wealthy

A HANDFUL of savvy actors negotiated incredibly lucrative back-end deals for movies which left them laughing all the way to the bank.

IF A big star thinks a movie is going to be a massive hit, they’ll often try to secure a back-end deal.

It means that not only will they get an upfront fee, but they’ll also get a share of the film’s profits, once the production and marketing costs have been covered.

Some even savvier stars have been able to secure a gross profit point deal, meaning they get a slice of the film’s total box office takings, before the production and marketing costs have been subtracted.

Here are some of the most lucrative deals ever done by movie stars (all figures in US dollars and, unless specified otherwise, are not adjusted for inflation):

JACK NICHOLSON

We’d be smiling like the Joker too if we cut a deal like Jack Nicholson did for 1989’s Batman.

The actor was paid $6 million upfront to appear in the film, but he demanded some extremely lucrative extras be included in his contract.

Not only did he secure a percentage of the film’s profits, but he also negotiated for a slice of the merchandise sales from Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin (even though he only appeared in the original).

The film made more than $400 million worldwide and merchandise sales exceeded $750 million, meaning Nicholson walked away with more than $60 million (which is closer to $100 million in today’s money).

Filthy rich.

BRUCE WILLIS

The actor must have had a “sixth sense” that his 1999 film would be a huge hit.

In addition to his $14 million salary, Willis negotiated 14 per cent of the film’s gross profits.

As we all know, the movie was a hit and made $672 million globally and Willis walked away with more than $100 million.

Forget dead people, Bruce Willis sees nothing but dollar signs.

SANDRA BULLOCK

The actor’s pay cheque for Gravity was seriously out of this world.

Bullock was paid $20 million upfront for the space flick and negotiated 15 per cent of the studio’s profits (once her advance was covered).

The Hollywood Reporter estimated that Bullock made at least $70 million from the film, meaning the star earnt about $769,000 for each of the movie’s 91 minutes.

It’s fair to say that Sandra Bullock is doing alright in the finance department.

CAMERON DIAZ

Bad Teacher wasn’t exactly a huge movie, but it left Cameron Diaz with a huge cheque.

The star dropped her normal upfront fee to just $1 million in return for a cut of the film’s profits.

The 2011 movie made $216 million worldwide and Diaz pocketed $42 million.

Cameron got way more than JT for Bad Teacher.

TOM HANKS

For 1994’s Forrest Gump, Hanks waived an upfront salary and instead negotiated a percentage of the film’s gross profits.

The movie went on to make $677 million and it’s believed Hanks pocketed $70 million.

Is that briefcase filled with cash?

HARRISON FORD

The ageing star was semi-retired when he was approached to reprise his role as Indiana Jones for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

But he eventually agreed to don the brown fedora once more after Paramount said it would give him one-third of the film’s profits, with the other shares going to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Ford wasn’t paid any money upfront, but when the dust settled, he walked away with $65 million.

Harrison was laughing all the way to the bank.

JOHNNY DEPP

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has made more than $3 billion worldwide and, as the star, Johnny Depp has pocketed a fair chunk of that.

In addition to a huge upfront salary for each of the five films (including the upcoming Dead Men Tell No Tales), Depp also gets a cut of the profits.

It’s estimated that he’s already made more than $300 million from the franchise, and even he’s willing to admit that his pay is a little ridiculous.

“Basically, if they’re going to pay me the stupid money right now, I’m going to take it,” Depp said to Vanity Fair in 2011.

“I have to. I mean, it’s not for me. Do you know what I mean? At this point, it’s for my kids. It’s ridiculous, yeah, yeah. But ultimately is it for me? No. No. It’s for the kids.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales should be released in May 2017.