Hollywood stars have voiced concerns in response to reports that Mark Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million to take part in reshoots for Ridley Scott film All the Money, while his co-star Michelle Williams received less than $1,000.

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USA Today wrote that although both actors are represented by the same agency, Williams only received 1% of Wahlberg’s salary for the extra filming required after Kevin Spacey was replaced in the role of J Paul Getty by Christopher Plummer.

Jessica Chastain, who was nominated for a Golden Globe alongside Williams, tweeted that “She deserves more than 1% of her male costar’s salary”. Emma Watson and Reese Witherspoon retweeted Chastain’s message.

Other Hollywood stars, including Mia Farrow, comedy director Judd Apatow and American Horror Story actor Billy Eichner also spoke out against the reported pay gap.

The news also angered many more on Twitter after Spacey was removed from the picture following allegations of sexual assault.

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And more highlighted that, if true, the news could show exactly why the Hollywood equality campaign Time’s Up was founded.

Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

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