Disney's 'Jungle Cruise' Sparks Pay Gap Debate: Dwayne Johnson Vs. Emily Blunt

Alright, here’s a story that’s got tongues wagging in Hollywood. Disney's Jungle Cruise is more than a year away from its release date, but it’s already making headlines—and not for the reasons you might expect. Unfortunately, it’s not about the film’s exciting plot or breathtaking visuals. Instead, the buzz is all about the pay gap between its two leading stars, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt.

Big Bucks for The Rock, But What About Emily?

Now, let’s break this down. Dwayne Johnson, the charismatic former WWE star turned Hollywood heartthrob, is reportedly set to earn a staggering $22 million for his role in Jungle Cruise. That’s impressive, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: his co-star, the equally talented Emily Blunt, will reportedly make $9 million less—putting her paycheck at a much smaller $9 million. Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably scratching your head right about now. Both actors are playing lead roles in the film, so why such a massive difference in pay?

Let’s put this into perspective. Dwayne Johnson isn’t exactly new to the big bucks. Just last August, Forbes revealed that he raked in an astonishing $124 million in 2018. And with his slate of upcoming projects—including a sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Red Dawn, and Black Adam—his earnings are only set to soar even higher. In fact, George Clooney was the only actor to out-earn him this year, pulling in a jaw-dropping $239 million. But let’s not forget, Dwayne’s earning power is a testament to his hard work, charisma, and global appeal.

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Emily Blunt: A Talented Actress with a Smaller Paycheck

On the other hand, Emily Blunt, the critically acclaimed British actress, is no slouch when it comes to talent. She’s starred in major blockbusters like Mary Poppins Returns and A Quiet Place, the latter of which was directed by her husband, John Krasinski. Despite her undeniable star power, Emily’s earnings for Jungle Cruise pale in comparison to Dwayne’s. Her upcoming projects include a sequel to A Quiet Place, which is sure to keep her in the spotlight, but the pay disparity in Jungle Cruise has sparked a much-needed conversation about gender equality in Hollywood.

Pay Gap Controversies in Hollywood: A Pattern of Inequality

This isn’t the first time Hollywood has faced scrutiny over pay disparities between male and female actors. Last year, during the reshoots of All the Money in the World, Mark Wahlberg reportedly earned $1.5 million for additional filming, while his co-star Michelle Williams was paid a measly $1,000. Yes, you read that right—$1,000. This glaring inequality didn’t sit well with many, including Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain, who took to Twitter to express her disbelief.

I heard for the reshoot she got $80 a day compared to his MILLIONS. Would anyone like to clarify? I really hope that with everything coming to light, she was paid fairly. She’s a brilliant actress and is wonderful in the film. https://t.co/VzGA2ucAjV

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) January 9, 2018

Comedy writer and director Judd Apatow also weighed in on the issue, calling out the absurdity of the situation.

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This is so messed up that it is almost hard to believe. Almost. This is how this business works. I wonder if the studio or Wahlberg will do something to make the situation less insane. https://t.co/RsunBlOeCk

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) January 10, 2018

Thankfully, Mark Wahlberg eventually did the right thing by donating his reshoot earnings to the Time’s Up movement. But the question remains: what about the pay gap in Jungle Cruise? So far, Disney hasn’t issued any comments, leaving fans and critics alike wondering if this issue will be addressed.