According to HK01, Leonardo DiCaprio has emerged as the highest-paid actor of 2023, earning $40 million (approximately 969 billion VND) for his leading role in the blockbuster Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese. This impressive salary far exceeds that of other top-tier Hollywood actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Chris Hemsworth, Vin Diesel, and Denzel Washington, who each earned about $20 million for their roles last year.
Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon
For many years, Leonardo DiCaprio has been known as Hollywood’s “box office guarantee,” often helping projects achieve significant success upon release. Consequently, film studios are willing to pay him top-notch salaries for his participation in their projects.
With Killers of the Flower Moon, DiCaprio has demonstrated his continued appeal, as the film grossed an impressive $154.5 million at the global box office. However, this achievement is not sufficient for a film with a budget of $200 million to break even. According to Screenrant, the film’s production costs were around $250 million (approximately over 6,000 billion VND), not including other promotional expenses.
Killers of the Flower Moon received much praise from experts but struggled at the box office
The film, categorized as a historical drama, draws inspiration from real events related to the murders of Osage Nation members in Oklahoma during the early 20th century. With a runtime of 206 minutes, Killers of the Flower Moon has received mixed reviews due to its slow pacing and complex narrative, featuring numerous characters.
According to Hollywood experts, studios are not overly concerned about Killers of the Flower Moon‘s box office performance. Produced by AppleTV and Paramount, the film is positioned for awards season, aiming for a spot in the 2024 Oscars. Since its release, the film has garnered positive responses, achieving a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- on CinemaScore.
Top Highest-Paid Actors of 2023:
1. Leonardo DiCaprio: $40 million (Killers of the Flower Moon)
2. Joaquin Phoenix: $20 million (Napoleon)
3. Chris Hemsworth: $20 million (Extraction 2)
4. Vin Diesel: $20 million (Fast X)
5. Denzel Washington: $20 million (The Equalizer 3)
6. Tom Cruise: $16 million (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One)
7. Jason Momoa: $15 million (Aquaman 2)
