In 2023, moviegoers were treated to an exceptional lineup of films, with Barbenheimer and the animated film The Boy and the Heron leading the pack. However, the year also brought some surprising developments in Hollywood. Mainstream blockbusters like Indiana Jones, Mission Impossible, and Transformers were rejected by audiences, while even the beloved MCU and DCU saw disappointing results. On the other hand, smaller, more unique films such as Barbie and Oppenheimer were enthusiastically embraced by viewers, signaling a shift in the industry's direction.
Despite the rollercoaster ride of 2023 in Tinseltown, there were actors who had a standout year in their careers.
Margot Robbie, embodying the iconic Barbie, particularly shone, earning a whopping $50 million for her role. Another rising star, Jenna Ortega, achieved icon status with her portrayal of Wednesday Adams, leading to a salary increase from $240,000 to $250,000 per episode in Season 2 of Wednesday.
Cillian Murphy's performance in Oppenheimer stood out for its vivid and complex nature, earning him $10 million. Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves continued his success with John Wick: Chapter 4, which surpassed $1 billion in global box office revenue, and Reeves reportedly received $15 million for his role.
However, not all actors had a successful year at the box office. Ezra Miller's The Flash disappointed, as did Brie Larson's The Marvels, which had the MCU's worst-ever opening weekend. Even Tom Cruise faced challenges, with Mission: Impossible 7 falling short of expectations. Lastly, Harrison Ford's involvement in the sixth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise received a lukewarm reception, as audiences felt he was too old for action roles.
In conclusion, 2023 proved to be a year of ups and downs in the world of cinema. While some actors achieved great success, others faced box office disappointments.
Nevertheless, this year demonstrated that the future of cinema lies in smaller, more unique storytelling, paving the way for exciting developments in the industry.
