'Top Gun Legend' Tom Cruise Earns Over 100 Million Dollars

Paramount Revenue at Least 10% on $12.5 Million
Low Base Salary, High Box Office Bonus

With the global success of "Top Gun: Maverick," interest in Tom Cruise's earnings is also growing. It is reported that his base salary for "Top Gun: Maverick" was $12.5 million. This falls far short of the $100 million he earned from "War of the Worlds (2005)" and "Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)." Cruise significantly lowered his fee because he negotiated unique contract terms.

Cruise takes at least 10% of the revenue earned by the distributor Paramount. "Top Gun: Maverick" was the highest-grossing film released this year. As of the 7th, it earned $575,195,970 in North America alone. Expanding the scope worldwide, the total is $1,119,695,970. If theaters take about half, Paramount earns $559,847,985. Ten percent of this is $55,984,798. Adding Cruise's base salary, he receives at least $68,484,798.

An industry insider familiar with Hollywood said, "The terms vary depending on sales records and countries." He added, "Considering that Cruise also co-produced, the percentage could be set as high as 20%," and predicted, "It is safe to say he takes more than $100 million."

Cases where actors accept a lower base salary and receive box office bonuses are increasing. Some domestic actors also choose to take equity shares rather than immediate profits when the success seems certain. A distributor official explained, "From the perspective of giving actors responsibility, this is positive," but also noted, "It makes it more difficult for distributors and producers to generate profits."