MSN recently published an article about the salaries of the cast members for “A Minecraft Movie,” revealing a striking pay disparity in Hollywood’s latest blockbuster. Jason Momoa, who plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, reportedly earned an impressive $12 million—four times more than Jack Black, who received $3 million for his role as Steve. This significant pay gap extends further down the cast list, with supporting actors like Emma Myers earning $220,000 and Danielle Brooks earning $250,000.
The film has exceeded box office expectations, grossing $301 million in its opening weekend, far surpassing the initial projections of $100-150 million. This impressive performance may justify Warner Bros.’ investment in the film, which reportedly cost around $150 million to produce, not including marketing expenses. The movie’s success demonstrates the power of the Minecraft brand and the star appeal of its actors.
However, the stark salary differences highlight the ongoing pay disparities in Hollywood. While top-tier actors like Momoa command eight-figure salaries, talented supporting cast members earn significantly less, despite their contributions to the film’s remarkable box office success. This trend persists across the industry, even in highly successful video game adaptations like this one.
A Shocking Pay Gap Between Minecraft Movie Stars
The upcoming Minecraft Movie has a budget of $100 million. Jason Momoa will earn $12 million for his role as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a new character, while Jack Black, who plays Steve, will make $3 million.
Minecraft Movie Cast Salaries (Reported by MSN)
| Actor | Character | Reported Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Momoa | Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison | $12 million |
| Jack Black | Steve | $3 million |
| Danielle Brooks | Dawn | $250,000 |
| Emma Myers | Natalie | $220,000 |
| Kate McKinnon | Unknown | $150,000 |
| Jennifer Coolidge | Unknown | $120,000 |
| Sebastian Eugene Hansen | Henry | $80,000 |
While Hollywood pay gaps are nothing new, fans were quick to point out that Jason Momoa earned four times what Jack Black did — despite the latter portraying one of gaming’s most recognizable characters.
Even more eyebrow-raising is the stark drop-off in pay for the rest of the cast, particularly the female leads. Emma Myers (Wednesday) and Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black) reportedly earned less than a quarter-million each, while veteran comedy stars like Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Coolidge didn’t even cross the $200K mark.
Why The Disparity?
There could be several reasons behind this surprising gap:
- Star Power & Marketability: Jason Momoa has led billion-dollar franchises like Aquaman, and his name alone likely draws in a broader global audience.
- Character Importance vs. Star Branding: While Steve is the face of Minecraft, Jack Black’s quirky, comedic take may not carry the same marketing clout as Momoa’s action-hero persona.
- Negotiation Leverage: Momoa’s production involvement or early attachment to the film may have influenced his compensation package.
Still, the difference is striking — especially given Black’s status as a beloved voice actor (Kung Fu Panda, Super Mario Bros. Movie) and a proven hitmaker in family entertainment.
As we get closer to the movie’s April 2025 release, it’ll be interesting to see how these salaries evolve once backend profits, merchandising deals, and box office bonuses kick in.
For now, though, it’s clear that in the world of block-building, not all paychecks are created equal.
Key Takeaways
- Jason Momoa earned $12 million for his role in “A Minecraft Movie,” four times more than Jack Black’s $3 million salary.
- The film has significantly outperformed box office expectations, earning $157 million against projections of $60-80 million.
- Warner Bros’ investment in the Minecraft adaptation has paid off despite the considerable salary disparities among cast members.
Cast and Salaries
The Minecraft Movie features a star-studded lineup with significant salary differences among the cast. The salary distribution reveals a substantial gap between the lead actors and supporting cast members, with Jason Momoa commanding the highest paycheck.
Top-Billed Cast Members
Jason Momoa leads the salary chart, earning a remarkable $12 million for his role as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison. This payment is four times larger than Jack Black’s $3 million for playing Steve, the iconic character from the video game.
The substantial difference between these two prominent actors has surprised many fans. Momoa’s higher salary likely reflects his current status as a box office draw following his success in franchises like Aquaman and Dune.
Jack Black, despite being a well-established actor with a dedicated following, received significantly less. His role as Steve, however, capitalizes on his voice acting experience and comedic talents that previously served him well in animated features.
Supporting Cast Pay
The supporting cast members received considerably smaller paychecks compared to the leads. Emma Myers earned $220,000 for portraying Natalie, while Danielle Brooks received $250,000 for her role as Dawn.
Jennifer Coolidge, despite her recent Emmy-winning success, was paid just $120,000 for her participation in the film. Kate McKinnon earned slightly more at $150,000.
The youngest cast member, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, received $80,000 for playing Henry. This tiered payment structure reflects the common Hollywood practice of paying based on billing position and perceived box office draw.
The salary disparity highlights the film industry’s continued emphasis on star power when allocating production budgets, with leading actors often receiving the lion’s share of compensation.
Industry Standards and Disparities
The salary differences in the Minecraft Movie cast highlight typical Hollywood pay disparities. Jason Momoa’s $12 million paycheck dwarfs Jack Black’s $3 million, despite Black being a major star in his own right.
This 4:1 ratio between lead actors isn’t uncommon in blockbuster films. A-list stars often command premium salaries based on their box office drawing power and name recognition.
More concerning is the gap between the top-billed stars and supporting cast. Emma Myers earned just $220,000 while Danielle Brooks received $250,000 – about 2% of Momoa’s pay.
Sebastian Eugene Hansen’s $80,000 represents an even smaller fraction, which is typical for newer actors in ensemble casts. Jennifer Coolidge and Kate McKinnon earned moderate sums of $120,000 and $150,000 respectively.
These disparities reflect standard industry practices where established male leads earn substantially more than supporting cast members. However, the Minecraft Movie’s strong box office performance ($301 million globally) suggests the pay structure delivered financial results.
With domestic earnings of $157 million, the film became 2025’s second-highest grossing release. This success may justify the top-heavy salary distribution from a business perspective, though equity concerns remain.
Minecraft Movie Market Expectations
The Minecraft Movie has shattered initial financial projections and joined the ranks of successful video game adaptations. The film’s performance demonstrates the strong market potential for well-executed gaming franchises on the big screen.
Box Office Projections
Industry analysts initially projected “A Minecraft Movie” would earn about $60 million in its opening weekend. These estimates were later revised upward to approximately $100 million as pre-release buzz grew stronger.
The actual results have been stunning. The film grossed $157 million in its opening weekend, more than doubling early projections. Worldwide, the movie has already reached $300 million in just its first days of release.
With a reported production budget of $150 million, plus marketing costs that likely doubled that figure, Warner Bros. appears to have a major hit on its hands. Director Jared Hess’s adaptation is already on track to become one of the most profitable video game movies ever made.
Video Game Adaptations
“A Minecraft Movie” continues a recent trend of successful video game adaptations. Unlike earlier eras when game-based films often disappointed both critics and audiences, today’s adaptations have found winning formulas.
The film’s box office performance suggests studios have learned important lessons about respecting source material while creating accessible stories. Warner Bros. appears to have struck the right balance between appealing to the massive Minecraft player base and attracting general audiences.
The casting strategy, despite the salary disparities, seems to have paid off. Jason Momoa’s star power as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison and Jack Black’s portrayal of Steve have resonated with moviegoers of all ages.
This success will likely accelerate development of other video game properties waiting to make the jump to cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Minecraft movie has generated buzz not just for its potential box office performance but also for the wide range of salaries paid to its cast members. Key differences in compensation have been noted across the star-studded lineup.
What is the salary of Jason Momoa for his role in the Minecraft movie?
Jason Momoa reportedly earned $12 million for his role as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison in the Minecraft movie. This makes him the highest-paid actor in the cast by a significant margin.
His salary is four times higher than the next highest-paid cast member. The substantial paycheck reflects Momoa’s star power and drawing ability at the box office.
What are the payment details for the cast of the Minecraft movie?
The Minecraft movie features a varied pay scale across its ensemble cast. Jack Black, playing the character Steve, earned approximately $3 million.
Other cast members received significantly lower amounts. Danielle Brooks was paid $250,000 for her role as Dawn, while Emma Myers received $220,000 for playing Natalie.
Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Coolidge earned $150,000 and $120,000 respectively. The lowest reported salary was for Sebastian Eugene Hansen, who received $80,000 for portraying Henry.
Has there been a disparity in salaries among the Minecraft movie cast members?
There is a notable disparity in the Minecraft movie cast salaries. The $12 million figure for Jason Momoa stands in stark contrast to Jack Black’s $3 million.
The gap becomes even more pronounced when comparing the lead actors to supporting cast members. The difference between Momoa’s $12 million and Hansen’s $80,000 represents a 150-fold disparity.
This salary range reflects typical Hollywood payment structures where leading stars command significantly higher compensation than supporting actors.
Can you provide details on Emma Myers’s compensation for the Minecraft movie?
Emma Myers reportedly received $220,000 for her role as Natalie in the Minecraft movie. This places her salary in the mid-range among the supporting cast.
Her compensation is slightly lower than Danielle Brooks’ $250,000 but higher than Jennifer Coolidge’s $120,000. As a relatively newer face in major film productions, Myers’ salary reflects her current standing in the industry.
What factors contribute to the variance in salary among Minecraft movie actors?
Several factors influence the wide salary range in the Minecraft cast. Star power and box office draw significantly impact compensation, explaining Momoa’s and Black’s higher salaries.
Experience and recognition in the industry also play crucial roles. Established actors typically command higher pay than newer talents.
Role size and importance to the storyline affect payment structures as well. Leading characters generally receive more substantial compensation than supporting roles.
How do the salaries reported for the Minecraft movie compare to industry standards?
The salary structure for the Minecraft movie generally aligns with Hollywood norms. A-list stars like Momoa often earn eight-figure salaries for major studio productions.
Mid-tier actors like Jack Black typically receive seven-figure payments. The $3 million paid to Black falls within expected ranges for established actors in supporting lead roles.
The supporting cast salaries also reflect standard industry practices, with payments ranging from low six figures to high five figures depending on the actor’s reputation and role significance.
