Tim Miller, director of the blockbuster hit Deadpool, revealed that despite the film’s massive success, his paycheck for two years of work wasn’t as lucrative as many might assume. Speaking candidly at an event, Miller shared that directing the Ryan Reynolds-led superhero film was far from a financial windfall for a first-time director, Deadline reported.
“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,” Miller said. “I got USD 225,000 to direct Deadpool. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that’s not a ton of money.”
Miller expressed gratitude for the opportunity but acknowledged the stark financial reality of breaking into the industry. “Not that I’m not grateful, I’m f***ing grateful,” he added. “That’s just the way it is. My agent even told me, ‘Dude, you make more on an episode of The Walking Dead.”
Despite earning over USD 782 million at the global box office, Miller noted that his director deal lacked a share in merchandising profits. “I feel uniquely fortunate to be part of such a popular franchise,” he said. “Then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising so I could see some of that money.”
Following Deadpool’s runaway success, David Leitch stepped in to direct the sequel in 2018. The franchise’s future evolved further after Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2017, bringing Deadpool under Marvel Studios’ banner. The third installment, Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy, hit theaters in 2024.
Miller’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into the financial realities of filmmaking, even for directors at the helm of record-breaking franchises.