When you work with legendary Hollywood filmmakers, you should be prepared to follow their stringent guidelines.
Steven Spielberg is no exception. He insists that actors must comply with one specific rule if they wish to collaborate with him.
But should this really come as a shock?
With films like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, Jaws, and the Indiana Jones series, Spielberg, now 78, will leave an incredible legacy when he eventually retires, and that’s just from the previous century.
There is certainly a method to his approach.
For those curious, since the start of the 21st century, Spielberg has directed 16 additional films, including Catch Me If You Can, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, and The Post.
The director, who has won three Oscars, insists that actors take no upfront salary and instead invest in the film’s success, just as he does.
In 2002, speaking about Tom Cruise and his role in Minority Report, Spielberg explained to The New Zealand Herald: “He took no money up front at all, not a cent and no guarantee that he will get money if the film doesn’t perform.
“Tom Hanks took no cash for Saving Private Ryan but he made a lot of money on his profit participation.”
Spielberg elaborated: “I haven’t worked with many movie stars – 80 percent of my films don’t have movie stars – and I’ve told them if they want to work with me I want them to gamble along with me.
“I haven’t taken a salary in 18 years for a movie, so if my film makes no money I get no money. They should be prepared to do the same.”
Reflecting on this, one Reddit user commented: “Doesn’t sound that big of a gamble at the time considering Spielberg was one of the biggest directors of 70s, 80s & 90s.”
Another user added: “Yeah this makes sense especially if we are talking about movie stars like the title says meaning they aren’t struggling. And they get a chance to work with Steven Spielberg.
“Seems like a win-win.”
On the other hand, Christopher Nolan, who has won two Oscars, has a more contentious rule: he prohibits chairs.
The 54-year-old director believes that sitting is a luxury that shouldn’t be part of the work environment.
Anne Hathaway, who collaborated with Nolan on Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises, discussed his rule with Variety in 2020, stating: “[He] doesn’t allow chairs, and his reasoning is, if you have chairs, people will sit – and if they’re sitting, they’re not working.”