Many great films become flops due to failures in marketing, but it’s a whole different ball game when big-budget flicks lack their star’s support! I mean you’d assume that you could count on the acting team you’ve just paid vast sums of money to pull through for you on the promotion front, but for some film producers, it’s just not the case. This list takes a look at those actors who blatantly refused to endorse their own films.
12. Mo’Nique (Precious)
When Lee Daniels wanted Mo’Nique to take to social networks like Instagram and Twitter to promote the 2009 film Precious, she flat out refused. It would seem that her pay check of $50,000 had something to do with it. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Mo’Nique stated, “When you work Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week, and then your boss calls you up and says we need you to come in on Saturday and work for ten hours, do you do that for free?” Alright, well no…but I also don’t get paid $50,000 for a few month’s work or win fancy golden statues! Five years after winning the Academy Award for her role for Best Supporting Actress, Mo’Nique told a reporter that she felt Daniels had sabotaged her career. “I got a phone call from Lee Daniels maybe six or seven months ago. And he said to me, ‘Mo’Nique, you’ve been blackballed.’ And I said, ‘I’ve been blackballed? Why have I been blackballed?’ And he said, ‘Because you didn’t play the game.’ And I said, ‘Well, what game is that?’ And he gave me no response.” Guess it pays in the long run to support your director!
Photo by Broadimage / Rex Features
