"50 Shades of Grey" actress Dakota Johnson arrives with her mother Melanie Griffith (L) at the 87th Academy Awards (Photo : REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)
The "Fifty Shades of Gray" movie has earned more than $550 million worldwide, raising speculations that lead stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan want a hefty pay increase.
Dakota Johnson plays Anastasia Steele, the object of a billionaire's affection in E.L. James' book series, "Fifty Shades of Gray." Jamie Dornan plays the billionaire Christian Gray.
Both Johnson and Dornan reportedly signed a 3-movie contract, implying the film adaptation will have at least two more sequels. The stars are expected to get much more than what they each got for the first FSOG film installment.
Johnson and Dornan got only $250,000 each for playing Ana Steele and Mr Gray. Both stars will reportedly ask for a 7-figure increase, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
This pay hike desire is the latest to come out amid issues surrounding the next "Fifty Shades of Gray" movies. THR reported director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenplay writer Kelly Marcel are not likely to get on board for the Universal sequels.
In an earlier update, Daily Star reported Dornan is getting a $12-million deal for the sequels, and this is the reason why the rumours about his FSOG exit was discontinued.
The first "Fifty Shades of Gray" was delivered in a $40 million budget. In an interview with THR, producer Dana Brunetti said both Johnson and Dornan got breakout roles. As such, their fame is expected rise, but he "is looking to keep" the same budget.
"I'm sure [the FSOG lead stars] are getting tons of offers on other things," Brunetti told THR, without giving specific details on whether Universal would increase the "Fifty Shades of Gray" sequel's budget to accommodate the pay increase of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
