Warner Bros. is doubling down on the business of Timothée Chalamet. The studio signed a multi-year feature film deal with the actor to collaborate on future projects as a star and producer.
Chalamet led back-to-back box office hits for Warner Bros. with last December’s “Wonka” ($632 million globally) and this March’s “Dune: Part Two” ($575 million globally and counting). According to the studio, he became the first actor in four decades to star in the top two domestic films that were released in eight months.
Chalamet will enjoy a salary bump after those box office riches. The actor earned more than $8 million for “Wonka,” according to sources. Now, he’s looking at paydays in the double digits for leading roles in studio films.
Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, said they are “thrilled that [Chalamet] has chosen our studio to be his creative home.” As part of the first-look agreement, Chalamet can make movies elsewhere, but Warner Bros. will get first dibs on backing his potential projects.
“Over the last few years, we have admired not only Timothée’s commitment to his craft, which is evident in the range and depth of his varied roles, but also his unwavering dedication to give 100% of his time and attention to every project he has made here at Warner Bros. and elsewhere,” they said in a joint statement. “His collaboration on the campaigns for ‘Dune’ and ‘Wonka’ is something we all enjoyed immensely, and the results speak for themselves.”
Chalamet is best known as an actor, starring in Oscar best picture nominees like “Call Me by Your Name,” “Lady Bird,” “Little Women” and “Dune.” But he’s also served as a producer on Luca Guadagnino’s cannibal love story “Bones and All,” in which he also acted alongside Taylor Russell; and James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” which is currently filming.
“Working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and their teams on ‘Wonka’ and ‘Dune’ over these last few years has been a deeply rewarding experience,” Chalamet said. “These are studio heads who believe in real movie making, and I’m so grateful for their support as an actor, producer and collaborator. This partnership feels like a natural next step. Let’s go!”
He is represented by Brian Swardstrom, UTA, Ginsburg Daniels Kallis and Relevant.
