Top Five Highest Paid DC Actors: Jason Momoa Earned $19,500,000 Less Than Dwayne Johnson Despite His Highest Grossing DC Movie, Aquaman

Over the years, numerous actors have graced the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with their presence, each leaving their mark on the film canon with their unique charisma and talent. Some have earned substantial paychecks while carving out a name for themselves, while others have achieved meteoric success and commanded top dollar for their performances. Let’s take a closer look at a few notable examples.

Dwayne Johnson, widely known as “The Rock,” has solidified his position as the highest-paid actor in the DCEU. Johnson’s star power, larger-than-life persona, undeniable charisma, and box-office appeal have consistently earned him massive paychecks throughout his career. In 2022, he secured the lead role in the highly anticipated DC film “Black Adam.” According to Variety, Johnson earned an impressive $22.5 million for portraying the villainous anti-hero. In addition to his acting, Johnson also served as a producer and heavily promoted the film on social media. His unrivaled star power and exceptional work ethic have set a new standard for DC actors, and his salary reflects this.

Joaquin Phoenix delivered a mesmerizing performance as the iconic villain, the Joker, in the 2019 film of the same name. His portrayal garnered critical acclaim and earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The investment in Phoenix’s talent and hard work paid off, as he reportedly received a salary of $4.5 million for his role in “Joker.” The film’s worldwide box office success, surpassing $1 billion, far exceeded projections. Riding high on the success of the first film, Phoenix’s salary for the upcoming sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” has reportedly skyrocketed to an astounding $20 million, solidifying his place as one of the highest-paid actors in the DCEU.

Jason Momoa made waves in the DCEU with his charismatic performance as the titular character in the 2018 film “Aquaman.” Although his starting salary for the underwater hero was a modest $3 million, the unexpected global box office success of “Aquaman,” exceeding $1 billion, allowed Momoa to renegotiate his contract for the film’s sequel, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” Variety reports that Momoa’s paycheck for the upcoming film has increased significantly to a staggering $15 million. Despite having a lower salary compared to some of his fellow DC actors, Momoa’s rising star and the success of “Aquaman” have firmly established him as a major player in the DC Extended Universe.

Will Smith, a seasoned actor who joined the DCEU as Deadshot in “Task Force X,” has long been recognized as a star capable of demanding high wages for leading roles in blockbuster films. While his reported salary of $13 million may seem lower than his previous earnings, Smith’s willingness to take creative risks and subsequent successes in other projects have elevated his pay to unprecedented levels. Variety reported that Smith earned $35 million for “Emancipation” and an impressive $40 million for “King Richard.” Smith’s career trajectory and ability to deliver exceptional performances continue to make him one of the most sought-after actors in the industry, even though his role in the DCEU did not earn him the highest paycheck.

Ben Affleck, an acclaimed actor and filmmaker, made his DCEU debut as Batman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Affleck’s involvement in the DCEU warranted a substantial salary due to his impressive resume, which included films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Gone Girl,” as well as his acclaimed directorial work on films such as “The Town,” “Argo,” and “Gone Baby Gone.”