Tim Miller, known for his directorial role in the groundbreaking superhero film Deadpool, has shared candid insights about his earnings from the project. Despite the film's overwhelming success, which grossed over $782 million worldwide, Miller revealed his financial compensation was far from glamorous.
During a recent interview with Collider, Miller let fans and aspiring filmmakers peek behind the curtain of Hollywood, where he explained the challenges faced by first-time directors. "You guys might not know, but it’s not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood, and I’ll tell you exactly," he began.
Miller disclosed his earnings for directing Deadpool, stating, "I got $225,000 to direct Deadpool. I know itSounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that's not a ton of money." He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the rarity of such chances for directors, particularly as he was at the age of 50 when he took the helm.
"Notthat I'm not grateful, I’m f***ing grateful, that's the way it is because you're supposed to when you're a first-time director," he acknowledged. Despite the accolades and financial success of the film, Miller's compensation put him at odds with the public perception of director salaries. He reflected on this perspective, noting, "I think a lot of people think everyone’s getting paid millions and millions in Hollywood. It’s just not the case, not always."
Miller's agent even weighed in on the disparity, telling him, "Dude, you make more on an episode of The Walking Dead!" This statement sheds light on the comparison between television and film director salaries, adding another layer to the narrative of filmmakers’ experiences.
Miller doesn't let his initial financial experience mar his pride, though. On the contrary, he feels honored and uniquely fortunate to have been part of the Deadpool franchise. "You know what I feel? Nothing but pride. I mean, I feel like every time I walk down the aisles out there on the floor of CCXP and I see all these Deadpool figurines, I think they wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t made the film," he shared with enthusiasm.
From his perspective, the success of Deadpool was not just about the box office figures; it marked the beginning of something significant within comic book cinema. And yet, Miller does express some regret about the financial structure surrounding his role. "Then, then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising sothat I could get some money from all ofthat," he lamented.
After the success of Deadpool, Miller was not invited back to direct the sequel, which was helmed by David Leitch and released in 2018. The character also found new life after Disney’s acquisition of Fox, integrating the Deadpool character intothe Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The public's admiration for Miller's work has been echoed by peers as well. Ryan Reynolds, who starred as the titular character, praised Miller's contributions, stating, "There is notahuman being on earth who worked harder on Deadpool than Tim. He’san incredibly, incredibly talented director.” This endorsement highlights the collaborative effort behind the film's success and Miller’s pivotal role.
Since Deadpool, Miller has directed Terminator: Dark Fate and contributed to Netflix's anthology series Love, Death & Robots, showcasing his versatility and continued presence within the industry. His story serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication filmmakers put behind their work, as well as the often-overlooked financial struggles they may face, especially early on.
Will there be more adventures with Deadpool? Speculation continues around the possibility of future installments, but one thing is clear: Tim Miller’s contributions to Deadpool have left an indelible mark on the superhero genre, making him a significant figure to watch.
