Scarlett Johansson Gets Raise, Still Trumped by Male Lead, Robert Downey, Jr.

Scarlett Johansson got a significant raise in pay for her role as Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron–and while that’s great–after all, who doesn’t love a raise, she still r...
Scarlett Johansson Gets Raise, Still Trumped by Male Lead, Robert Downey, Jr.
Written by Kimberly Ripley
  • Scarlett Johansson got a significant raise in pay for her role as Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron–and while that’s great–after all, who doesn’t love a raise, she still raked in a lot less than the film’s male lead, Robert Downey, Jr.

    Comic Book Movie reports that Scarlett Johansson received $20 million. Even with a cut in pay, Robert Downey, Jr. still trumped her by a lot.

    Such is the plight of women in Hollywood.

    Jennifer Lawrence recently penned an essay on this very subject. The topic took center stage at Elle magazine’s Women in Hollywood awards last month.

    Just days ago at The Hollywood Reporter’s roundtable, Sony chairman Tom Rothman addressed the issue.

    “I actually think women drive the box office,” he said.

    It’s unfathomable to even consider that men don’t see films like Avengers: Age of Ultron in part to see strong female leads like Scarlett Johansson.

    So why does she make so much less than the film’s male lead?

    Of course many will point out that some of the male Avengers: Age of Ultron stars didn’t do nearly as well as Scarlett Johansson. After all, Chris Evans “only” made $6.9 million, with Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner all coming in between $2 and $6 million.

    Sadly, this gender inequality issue spans the gamut from minimum wage earners to Hollywood. It’s increasingly becoming a hot topic among 2016 presidential hopefuls.

    Is Iron Man truly worth more money than the Black Widow?

    Does Scarlett Johansson need some tutoring at the hands of Jennifer Lawrence?

    What’s your take on gender inequality in Hollywood–and beyond?

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