Chris Pratt was paid $2 million more than Bryce Dallas Howard for Jurassic World, despite not having to run in heels
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard may be the co-leads in the rebooted Jurassic Park franchise, but when it comes to their salaries, things are anything but equal. According to a new Variety report on salaries in Hollywood, Pratt’s payday for the second installment of the rebooted franchise saw him earn $2 million more than his costar.
After 2015’s Jurassic World became a global phenomenon, earning over $1.5 billion at the box office and becoming one of the highest grossing films of the years, Pratt and Howard each saw a major salary bump — but, unfortunately, the pair didn’t receive equal pay on the film. The Guardians of the Galaxy actor reportedly made $10 million for the upcoming Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, while Howard earned $8 million.
Yes, Bryce Dallas Howard had to outrun dinosaurs in heels for two hours in Jurassic World and she *still* got paid less than Chris Pratt.
Come on, Universal! Unfortunately, this news is not only not surprising, but Pratt and Howard’s differing salaries is yet another example of unnecessary pay disparity. While, as IndieWire points out, there’s an argument to be made that Pratt’s increasing star power is the reason for the pay disparity, the pair’s status as co-leads and co-faces of the billion dollar franchise should definitely hold more weight than Pratt’s involvement in another franchise. But while we’re at it, Howard’s also doing pretty well for herself outside Jurassic.
This isn’t to say Pratt doesn’t deserve sizable pay for being an instrumental part of Jurassic World‘s continuing success. However, it’s an important part of the larger conversation surrounding pay parity, especially in the cases like the Jurassic franchise where outwardly, the male and female leads are marketed like equals but their salaries indicate otherwise.
Universal, we’re glad Howard is going to be wearing more sensible shoes in Fallen Kingdom but now let’s get her a more sensible — and equal — salary. It’s 2018: pay parity should be the rule, not the exception.