Jason Isaacs reveals ‘professional catastrophe’ after blockbuster movie flopped

Actor Jason Isaacs has revealed his acting career became a “catastrophe” after his big budget blockbuster failed spectacularly at the box office.

Actor Jason Isaacs has revealed his career was plagued by “catastrophe” after one of his blockbuster movies flopped spectacularly at the box office.

The English actor, 62, spoke to Vulture following his recent starring in season three of HBO’s smash hit The White Lotus, when conversation turned to his role in 2003’s infamous bomb Peter Pan.

Isaacs, who is perhaps best known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, portrayed Captain Hook in the much-hyped live-action fantasy film remake, which was shot on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Despite receiving positive reviews after its release, the Universal Pictures film lost money, pulling in a worldwide total of just $US122 million against a $US130 million budget.

Peter Pan flopped at the box office in 2003.

Peter Pan’s failure to perform ultimately came down to heavy competition at the box office, with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Cheaper by the Dozen both in cinemas at the time.

Remembering the setback, Isaacs said he was the “lowest” he’d “ever been” after its release.

“It was a big expensive production with multiple studios. We filmed for 14 months. The film tanked,” Isaacs told the outlet.

“I think it’s a masterpiece, but people looked at the poster and went, ‘Oh, f**k it. I’ve seen Hook with Robin Williams, and I’ve seen the cartoon. Why do I need to see another one?’

Isaacs played Captain Hook.

Isaacs had already secured the role of Lucius Malfoy in the eight-film Harry Potter franchise prior to Peter Pan’s flop.

“It was a catastrophe professionally for me, a huge fall from grace. I couldn’t get a walk-on role,” he continued.

“And I changed my agent and I almost changed my job, frankly, because I didn’t think I’d work again. The lowest I’ve ever been was after Peter Pan. 

“I was really in despair but not as bad as I would have been had I believed any of the bulls**t that had been whispered in my ear.

“I didn’t over-invest in the results of it, which is something I tried to counsel the young actors on The White Lotus not to do.”

On The White Lotus, Isaacs also confirmed widespread reports that all actors in the ensemble series were paid the equal sum of $US40,000 per episode, bringing their total pay for the series to $US320,000 each.

Isaacs starred in season three of The White Lotus. Picture: Binge

It meant up-and-coming stars, including Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola, were paid the same as industry veterans including Isaac, Parker Posey and Leslie Bibb.

“I didn’t know that was public knowledge. That’s absolutely true,” Isaacs said of their salaries.

“Generally actors don’t talk about pay in public because it’s ridiculously disproportionate to what we do — putting on makeup and funny voices — and just upsets the public. But compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, that’s a very low price.

“But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part.”

Originally published as Jason Isaacs reveals ‘professional catastrophe’ after blockbuster movie flopped