Actor Djimon Hounsou slams Hollywood for feeling ‘tremendously cheated’ by trade
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” actor Djimon Hounsou confessed that Hollywood life isn’t all it’s reduce out to be.
After appearing within the trade for greater than 30 years, Hounsou revealed he felt slighted by the Hollywood pay and stated he’s confronted challenges with cash.
“I’m nonetheless struggling to attempt to make a greenback!” he expressed throughout an interview with The Guardian.
“I’ve come up within the enterprise with some people who find themselves completely effectively off and have little or no of my accolades. So I really feel cheated, tremendously cheated, when it comes to funds and when it comes to the workload as effectively.”
Hounsou spoke out about how he needed to battle for the paycheck he felt he deserved and was constantly disrespected.
“I nonetheless should show why I have to receives a commission,” he informed the media outlet. “They at all times come at me with an entire low ball: ‘We solely have this a lot for the position, however we love you a lot and we actually suppose you possibly can convey a lot’… Movie after movie, it’s a battle. I’ve but to fulfill the movie that paid me pretty.”
The 58-year-old actor expressed he felt no assist from anyone for his performances.
He additionally admitted feeling infuriated by the restricted roles for Black actors and opened up about how he portrayed a slave thrice inside a five-year span.
“I felt significantly cheated,” Hounsou emphasised.
“Right this moment, we speak a lot concerning the Oscars being so white, however I bear in mind there was a time the place I had no assist in any respect: no assist from my very own individuals, no assist from the media, from the trade itself. It felt like: ‘You have to be completely happy that you simply’ve bought nominated,’ and that’s that.”
Hounsou’s rise to fame began within the Steve Spielberg movie, “Amistad” the place he portrayed a rebellious enslaved particular person.
However, Hounsou stated he was ignored by Hollywood since his co-star Anthony Hopkins obtained a nomination over him.
Regardless of Hounsou being nominated for his performances in “In America” and “Blood Diamond” with Leonardo DiCaprio, he added it was unfair that his co-star obtained a nomination for finest actor because the film follows Hounsou’s character.
Over his wide-ranged profession, Hounsou starred in “Gladiator,” “Livid 7,” “Tomb Raider,” “Aquaman” and different action-packed films.
One movie that he does take pleasure in engaged on is the “Shazam!” sequel.
“Out of all of them, the DC universe has a degree of respect,” he remarked. “There wasn’t a lot to the position at first… I did it and it was enjoyable. However the second time round it was a bit extra respectful.”
He believes that Hollywood is slowly however absolutely giving him an opportunity and hopes for extra display screen time in larger productions.