Star Trek’s new Kirk Chris Pine is being sued by his former talent agency. Pine left the agency in late 2011 and now they are alleging he owes them compensation for a number of current and future projects. The suit also reveals Pine’s Star Trek salary. More details below.
Pine sued by former agency – Trek salary revealed
In November 2011 Chris Pine ended his nine year relationship with SDB Partners, a boutique agency which took him on in 2002. The suit alleges that SDB signed up "when nobody was willing to touch Pine" and quickly got him TV parts and a leading role in a feature film (Princess Diaries 2). By 2011 Pine was a hot commodity as the new Captain Kirk and with deal to be the next Jack Ryan along with a number of other projects (including This Means War which opens this week). The suit alleges that Pine discharged the agency by email without the "courtesy of picking up the telephone."
More specifically SDB says that Pine owes them compensation for their share of his salary for a number of projects. THR has details from the suit on Pine’s compensation, including that for the Star Trek sequels:
Pine’s Trek deal gives Paramount an option on him for three films. His pay for the first Trek isn’t listed but the deal allegedly gives him $1.5 million plus up to $500,000 in backend compensation for the second film (which is currently in pre-production) and $3 million plus the $500,000 in backend for a third film, if it happens. He also gets 5 percent of net merchandising revenue from the exploitation of his name and likeness. (The complaint doesn’t address whether this or other deals might have been renegotiated up, as is common when movies become big hits.)
According to the report, Pine will be paid even more by Paramount for the three potential Jack Ryan films, with "$4 million for the first film, $8 million for the second and $12 million for a third, plus backend."
For more details see THR story.
I’m thinkin’ it’s 1 – 2 – 3, which makes Chris the new Six Million Dollar Man.
Ooh, maybe he’ll do that reboot, too.
So you are still doing this kind of reporting. Oh, well. Such is life…
@2 sorry, what’s wrong with reporting the industry details of the only current Star Trek production? What goes into issues like this directly affects the outcome of the film you’ll eventually see.
Since we are commenting, I think he should just pay his bills/fulfill his contract obligations and then move on. Do the right thing…
Wow- so do not care…
Chris Pine — the REAL Six Million Dollar Man!
Plus around $24 million with the Jack Ryan films.
Paramount better realize that they need to up the ante for Trek movie salaries if they want to keep Pine. I wish the best for him and for Trek, as the two are very closely intertwined in these times.
@#3
I’m not interested in the personal details of the actors’ lives that, in my opinion, takes away from the professional side of things, like the movies/shows/events. It muckies the waters to me, and I know I’m not the only one that feels this way.
But, we can all look at how an actor is (poorly) treating the agency that helped bring him to stardom by failing to pay them their salaries even though that (and his salaries) doesn’t really have much of anything to do with the content of the films.
Have at it.
I’m confused though, did he dump SDB for one of the ‘big 5’ agencies? Or did he just dump the agency all together and is only using a manager as representation?
If he didn’t jump from SDB to someone like WME/CAA/ICM/UTA/etc, than it’s possible that this arose as an issue between his management and agents; and Pine sided with his management.
It’s completely his choice to leave his agents, but REGARDLESS he should pay them the cut that they’re owed since they obviously did work their butt off for him for years when he was a nobody.
@7 “in my opinion, takes away from the professional side of things”
False. This is the absolute definition of the “professional side” of the films. These are the goings-on of the profession.
Sorry, but some of the adults actually care about how the toy is made.
@#6
For me, it’s Zachary they need to try to keep, but it woyld be nice to have thr same cast from beginning to end. I think the will.
The story doesn’t tell us what Pine and SDB Partners had been discussing, and whether SDB was truly his best choice going forward.
Pine gets to make that decision, not anyone here. As to the email… how the hell do we know how you fire your agent. From what I’ve heard, it’s usually best to fire them out of a cannon into a pile of poo.
I read the suit…very emotionally and unprofessionally written in parts. If SDB wants all that from Chris Pine, they’re going to have to represent themselves a little better.
@#9
Not false because I gave the examples as to what I was talking about. Yes, we are talking about money he was paid for his work (and the agency thst helped him get that pay), but to me that’s more of a private matter between him and the agency that is suing him for their money.
Again, have at it if you like. I’m done here. Thanks.
#7 What? I really don’t get this. How is this not related to Star Trek?
First of all this story doesn’t tell us what happened to cause Pine to leave SDB. We have no idea what Pine’s reasons were.
Secondly, current news events directly concerning the principles in the new Star Trek movie are certainly interesting, even if it doesn’t directly affect the movie itself. I’m assuming this will have no effect on the movie because it is a legal issue between Pine and SDB and not Paramount or Abrams, etc.
Thirdly, this in no way takes away from the professionalism, or anything else from the current movie production in any way. I’m sure this sort of thing is fairly common in Hollywood and is probably not even a topic of discussion on the set.
Why would you criticize Anthony for posting a very relevent article about the star of the movie that this blog follows? Just makes no sense.
I could understand if he was posting an article about Jay Leno being sued by his agency. I would agree with you then. But I would fully expect him to post this kind of news worthy story.
Please forgive the typos…
——
I explained myself already, Jay. But, thanks… I’m done.
The veil is torn away… Surprise! Pine is an *actor*.. and he works for money, and he has business relationships with stakeholders who sometimes feel differently about where the money goes.
We don’t know the whole story… including how critical the agency was in getting him the roles in the first place. Although they still might be entitled to compensation, we can’t and shouldn’t make a judgement on what “the right thing” is in term’s of Pine’s behavior toward that agency. My guess would be (and it’s just that) he didn’t feel they were representing him properly, thus the email “dismissal.” Perhaps he felt that was all they deserved.
It is interesting to compare Pine’s alleged salary for the second Abrams’ Star Trek film to the highest salary earned by Shatner and Nimoy on any of the Star Trek films. Reportedly Shatner and Nimoy earned approximately $2 million each on Star Trek V (and then only $1.5 million each on Star trek VI) after a series of four previous successful Star Trek films, and long careers in television and film. It seems that if the $1.5 million figure reported above for Chris Pine is true, he is being paid very well, having been a virtual unknown only a few years prior to Star Trek 2009.
I am sure that Shatner, Nimoy, et al are envious of Pine’s high salary.
#15 Actually you didn’t. You criticized Anthony for posting what is clearly a related news worth story about the star of the movie that this site is centered around. Your only explaination was that you don’t think it is.
Your explaination makes as little sense as your original criticism. If you are not interested in the particular post, that’s your right. I just don’t understand how you criticize the guy that owns this blog for posting something that is so clearly news worthy and directly related to the subject of this blog. Strange.
@7 – You know you don’t have to read every story that TrekMovie puts out, right…? There, you’ve saved yourself from all that trouble by just not reading articles that don’t interest you or you don’t like.
@18 – Trek was a dying franchise at the time of those movies, and with inflation and other rising costs and demand of stars and their agents, I’m not really surprised that’s he making this much now.
Spock/Uhura Fan, I’m with you.
The facts are interesting, but i don’t care if he pays his bills or not, I’ll let his business people worry about. As a fan I say Just play the part well, On With the Show.
#18 Well, I see what you are saying, but you should take into account inflationary differences. $2mil 10 or 15 years ago is quite a bit more than $1.5mil today. So really Shatner and Nimoy were paid more.
Also, as is the case in alot of areas, there is alot more money period in certain entertainment today than in the past. Even just 15 years ago. Movies make alot more money now. Sports is another area where current athletes make alot more than those 15, 20 or 30 years ago playing the same sport. I think its safe to say there was alot more publicity and hype around this Star Trek movie than just about any that came before it. Also, we don’t know what Pine made for the first movie. Could have been just $1mil, which by todays standards is pretty small for a lead role in a summer tent pole action movie. Even for a relatively unknown guy.
Ah, the usual Hollywood game playing. Nothing new really!
This is an industry where smaller players can sometimes try to survive off of law suits. Often it is extras trying to sue agencies.
So just saying i would not jump to the conclusion that Chris Pine is automatically in the wrong and if not the last thing he wants is to get a reputation for rolling over and handing over cash at the first sign of pressure.
If he does that lawsuits would become a never ending story.
Two life rules for staying happy 1. Do what is right 2. Always slap a bully hard in the head (metaphorically most of the time).
#22 I don’t disagree with you. I mean I am interested in the buisness side of the movies, but if you are not that is your right.
What I don’t get is criticizing the blog author for posting it when it is clearly directly related to the subject of the blog.
WWST?
figger this one out.
Hint
b in ga
Why the frick are people commenting if they do not care?
Go move to a post that you do care about.
Proverbs 17:28
Jay, i didn’t criticizing the blog author, or anyone else. you must have mistaken me for someone else
#29 I know you didn’t. I was referring to #7. You said you agreed with that person that you weren’t interested in this story. I was just trying to make clear the difference between not being interested in this story, and critcizing Anthony for posting it.
o sweetie
Thats your next hint.
Jay,
yes that’s true.
Been reading daily hear since July 2006, don’t comment much, but I read it all. Anthony has done a great job. I have only good things to say about him.
Now to Chris Pine, keep up the good work, and “On with the show”
Bummer. The dude’s got rich people’s problems. I hope it doesn’t affect his performance in Star Trek.
Personally, report what you like. But i really don’t care about the actors and agents squabbling. I’m only interested in Trek production, story, characters, etc.
But if I did weigh in my two cents on this stuff, it would be as follows;
IF the agency were instrumental in getting him some of the mentioned roles, and are owed money, Chris Pine should pay. Big IF.
IF Chris Pine shafted them, shame on him. Big IF.
What I certainly don’t like is the way the agency has given public details about his money before the suit goes to court, nor do I think them making snide remarks—as they did in the press release—is very, uh professional of them.
As good as the agency might be, they should know better.
For me, Chris is innocent until proven guilty.
For me, the agency–despite their bad press move–is not a victim until the court decides it.
Well, as far as I understand SDB Partners are wanting to receive for the future projects of Chris … I can not comment about it without being partial, I would side with Chris on this issue …
And as far as I know Chris Pine has not yet chosen new agents … according to a report published in Deadline, January 24, 2012… he was still “auditioning agencies” …
And as far as I know SDB was the first agency of Chris, looks like someone indicated the agency for him … no evidence that other agencies have not been interested in him at the time…
And about CP sent an email warning that he was leaving and that he was discourteous not to have phoned… well…
Good that Chris sent that email … I wonder what they would be saying now if Chris had just phoned… at least in the e-mai is evident that they had talked about it before and that Chris was not satisfied with the agency… and he showed gratitude for them…
Something was not working between Chris and the agency … he mentions this in the mail … and it’s not because they decided to sue him that they are correct in what they are seeking … I hope Chris finds a good lawyer and that everything is resolved in the best way …
;-)
@#20
Oh, believe me, unless I have a real need to say something (which is unlikely), I will be skipping these reportings in the future.
@ Jay
I’m not going to argue with you. If you don’think that I’ve explained myself over the course of two reportings (the other was Avery Brooks, which REALLY wasn’t in need of a posting here, and no, I’m not going to restate everything on every thread/comments section), then that’s you. I’m just done talking about Chris not paying his bills.
Like I’ve already mentioned before, if YOU want to talk about that, and if this site wants to report it, then have at it.
Thanks.
#36 LOL…. not sure why you keep saying we are talking about Chris not paying his bills. I see no evidence of that.
Some advice to you… if you come to a blog about Star Trek, you should not be surprised to see news worthy postings related to current star actors envolved in Star Trek projects. Or even those of recent actors envolved in Star Trek projects.
ummmm that is kind of the point of this blog in the first place.
I find it amusing that people take the time to criticize the blog for doing what it is intended to do.
Good grief, folks, Pine is in the business of making money, and no one here has any idea of anything at all that’s transpired between him and this company. No one knows who mistreated whom, if anyone.
To assume otherwise is…illogical. :)
Let’s move on.
#36.
What the f#ck? I thought you were finished with this thread? Why the hell are you still here anyway? You’ve said your piece, now get lost!
Really, you people who come to a particular thread to complain about how you aren’t interested really piss me off!
Next time, just ignore the damn article! SHEESH!
Dammit, man!
SDP Partners is whitemailing Pine in an attempt to get an up front settlement off of Pine’s future earnings.
SDP believes that they fronted Pine and that he dumped them at the urging of Paramount, JJ and the other ST bigs who have plans for Pine. The studios all use the same big agencies: it’s one huge incestuous orgy, and the small fry like SDP don’t get a cut of the swag.
Nobody is “innocent” here, nor is anyone “guilty”. This is business, period.
Sorry, dammit. That’s “SDB” Partners.
“I hope Chris finds a good lawyer and that everything is resolved in the best way …”
__________
So do I .
LOL!!! Exactly!!
How dare a Star Trek blog post a news article about the lead actor of the next Star Trek movie???
Actually, I initially came to Trek Movie.com to talk about the ST09 movie and the next movie to come. The movie, to me, is not how much an actor got paid his part in it.
The website can, of course, post whatever. And once again, you can talk about whatever.
And a bit of advice to you–Perhaps worry about your own posts instead of other people’s. If you are here to discuss the posting above, then just do that. As for your first sentence, I could answer it, but like I mentioned before, I’m done.
#43 I guess you should realize this blog is about more than just the current movie in production. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so surprised by related news being posted.
I love when people criticize and then say “i would explain my criticism, but I’m not going to because I’m done talking about it.”
@#38
As per usual, you fail to read my posts properly. I said I was done talking about the subject of the posting above. If you want to get rid of me, then it’s nit going to be that easy, bub. But you can get lost. :-)
44
Dude, I’ve already explained. You could just move on. It’s just a thought…
Didnt Shatner demand and get something like $6 million for Generations?
This sure shows you how difficult it will be to keep these actors after three Trek films. But if Star Trek continues to be a box office smash, they might be able to do it but to re-up Pine for three more films wold take $25-$30 million probably.
Actually, perhaps that isnt true. They should try get an option on him ASAP for three more. But with merchandising and royalties etc, a Trek salary could end up a lot higher in the long run than a “regular” movie. They could get creative.
#46 Actually you haven’t explained why you criticize Anthony for posting an article that is clearly related to the subject matter of this blog.
But I don’t expect you to.
#47… As much as I hate to say it, I’ve felt all along that the JJ run of Star Trek movies would just be 3. For various reasons, length of time between films, success of the actors, writers and JJ himself, etc.
If the movies continue to be big hits, and there is alot of money to be made, then perhaps they will make more. But JJ strikes me as the type that will move on to some other project after his 3 Star Trek movies are made. Maybe I’m wrong. And as you mentioned, the stars will all be commanding large pay checks from their success with Star Trek, and in other projects. It will be hard to see them keeping this going.
Shattner, Nimoy and the rest were not big movie stars outside of Star Trek in the 80’s and 90’s. Therefore there wasn’t as much demand on their time and their value wasn’t being pushed skyward as a result.