In a new Forbes list (what do they produce these like every month?), Naomi Watts of The Ring and King Kong fame has come out on top of the list of actresses who provide the best return for a film studio.
Forbes.com apparently compiled its list by looking at the 100 biggest stars in Hollywood, and to qualify, each actress had to have starred in at least three movies in the past five years that opened in more than 500 theatres. Top Hollywood earners, like Angelina Jolie, who banked in more than $27 million last year, didn't make the cut.
Watts topped the list because she helped the boxoffice make an estimated $44 for every $1 she was paid for her last three major films.
Jennifer Connelly, star of He's Just Not That Into You, came second with her films earning about $41 for each dollar she was paid, and Rachel McAdams of The Time Traveler's Wife, came third with $30 for every $1 earned.
Fourth was Natalie Portman, with her films making $28 for every $1 she was paid, followed by Meryl Streep who made the top five due to the massive boxoffice success of last year's Mamma Mia, earning $27 for every $1 paid.
Rounding out the 10 were Jennifer Aniston ($26 per $1), while films by Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, and Hilary Swank all made $23 for every dollar they earned.
This list is really surprising to me because I can't even remember the last time I saw any of these actresses' films, and I didn't think Naomi Watts has made a movie in recent years that plays in over 500 theatres. But, oh well, apparently she's making the studios and moviegoers happy, so good for her.
What do you guys think? Does this surprise you as much as it does me?
--Darcie Duttweiler
Forbes.com apparently compiled its list by looking at the 100 biggest stars in Hollywood, and to qualify, each actress had to have starred in at least three movies in the past five years that opened in more than 500 theatres. Top Hollywood earners, like Angelina Jolie, who banked in more than $27 million last year, didn't make the cut.
Watts topped the list because she helped the boxoffice make an estimated $44 for every $1 she was paid for her last three major films.
Jennifer Connelly, star of He's Just Not That Into You, came second with her films earning about $41 for each dollar she was paid, and Rachel McAdams of The Time Traveler's Wife, came third with $30 for every $1 earned.
Fourth was Natalie Portman, with her films making $28 for every $1 she was paid, followed by Meryl Streep who made the top five due to the massive boxoffice success of last year's Mamma Mia, earning $27 for every $1 paid.
Rounding out the 10 were Jennifer Aniston ($26 per $1), while films by Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, and Hilary Swank all made $23 for every dollar they earned.
This list is really surprising to me because I can't even remember the last time I saw any of these actresses' films, and I didn't think Naomi Watts has made a movie in recent years that plays in over 500 theatres. But, oh well, apparently she's making the studios and moviegoers happy, so good for her.
What do you guys think? Does this surprise you as much as it does me?
--Darcie Duttweiler