Don’t Look Up: Jennifer Lawrence defends making $5 million less than Leonardo DiCaprio for upcoming comedy-drama

Pay equity has always been the talk of the town, especially in the entertainment industry. Many actors have also taken a stand for it and decided to work only if their female colleagues were paid equally. Recently, the debate on pay equity again took rounds on the internet when it was revealed that Jennifer Lawrence, who was number one on the call sheet for Don’t Look Up, earned less than what her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio did. However, the actress doesn't seem to be bothered by it. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the actress opened up about it and said she is extremely fortunate and happy with her deal.

While she made around $5 million less than DiCaprio, the latter is said to have made about $30 million for the movie. Besides being top-billed, the actress clearly seems to have had unequal pay and yet defended it. She said she is aware DiCaprio brings in more box office than her, and she is happy with hers. It is also to be noted that both the actors are Oscar winners.

She further said she and other women workforce have seen some uncomfortable situations like unequal pay. While questioning it, they were told it is not gender inequality, but something they can’t tell what exactly is.

When she was asked if it is okay to flash her name on the screen a split-second before DiCaprio’s, she said yes. “With being number one on the call sheet? Yeah, and I thought the credit should reflect that. Leo is very gracious about it,” she said.

Helmed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up is a climate change comedy. Ensembling one of the most stellar casts, the movie features Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothee Chalamet, Mark Rylance, Ariana Grande, Chris Evans, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan and Scott Mescudi.

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Backed by Hyperobject Industries and Bluegrass Films, the film will have a limited theatrical release on December 10, 2021, and will premiere on Netflix on December 24, 2021.