Key Takeaways:
– Orlando Bloom earned a meager salary of $175,000 for his role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings.
– Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy brought in over $2.9 billion at the global box office.
– Aragorn’s sword, one of the film’s memorabilia, was auctioned for a colossal $437,000.
– Despite Bloom’s low initial pay, the role boosted his Hollywood career significantly.
Orlando Bloom: His Big Break and Low Pay in the Legendary Trilogy
British actor Orlando Bloom was catapulted to Hollywood stardom when he landed the role of Legolas in the epic Peter Jackson trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. At age 22, Bloom was relatively unknown in the film industry, which was reflected in his pay for the films – a surprisingly low reported figure of $175,000. However, Bloom saw the role as a massive opportunity and was more than happy to accept it, regardless of the modest remuneration.
Small Compensation for an Epic Role
Despite the enormous global box-office success of the Peter Jackson films, which brought in over a staggering $2.9 billion, Bloom’s compensation seems paltry. However, unknown at the time, he took the reduced pay in his stride and cherished the experience as an invaluable learning step, kickstarting a promising career. During the Howard Stern Show, Bloom reflected on his experience, stating “The greatest gift of my life, are you kidding me? And you’d do it again for half the money.”
An Undervalued Actor in a Blockbuster Franchise
Even though Bloom’s tale of compensation may seem shocking to fans of the franchise, it is important to consider that he was relatively new to Hollywood at the time. In contrast, established stars such as Ian McKellen and Liv Tyler likely commanded higher salaries due to their established profiles. Yet Bloom’s performance as Legolas, the Elf archer, earned him widespread recognition.
The Price of Movie Memorabilia
Interestingly, even after ringing up massive box office receipts, the franchise continues to earn revenue in fascinating ways. For instance, the prop of Aragorn’s sword, Andúril, featured in the series, was auctioned for more than double Bloom’s reported earnings. The sought-after collector’s item sold in 2014 for an impressive $437,000, considerably more than the salary paid to the elf Legolas.
The Continuing Legacy of The Lord of the Rings
This wildly successful series left an indelible mark on pop culture, with passionate fans still seeking cinematic treasures such as Aragorn’s sword. The films catapulted many actors into stardom, providing them with unparalleled opportunities. For Orlando Bloom, though his initial pay of $175,000 seems underwhelming in light of the trilogy’s overall success, the role of Legolas opened boundless doors to enduring stardom. Today, Bloom remains grateful for the monumental experience The Lord of the Rings offered him, reiterating that it was the greatest gift of his life.
