Bryce Dallas Howard has opened up about the stark pay gap between her and co-star Chris Pratt in the Jurassic World trilogy, revealing that her earnings were far lower than many reports had initially suggested.
The Jurassic World film series, an extension of Steven Spielberg’s iconic Jurassic Park franchise, became one of the most commercially successful cinematic ventures of the modern era. With its thrilling premise of genetically engineered dinosaurs and catastrophic park failures, the trilogy captivated audiences worldwide. However, despite the massive box office earnings, Howard has revealed that she was put at a major disadvantage when it came to her salary negotiations.
A Billion-Dollar Blockbuster With an Unequal Pay Scale
The first installment, Jurassic World, released in 2015, shattered box office records by grossing an astounding $1.6 billion globally. At the time, it became the third-highest-grossing movie ever. The immense success of the film guaranteed the production of two sequels, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Jurassic World Dominion, further cementing the franchise as a cinematic powerhouse.
Howard and Pratt, who were cast as the leading characters in the franchise, both signed multi-film contracts before the release of the first movie. However, Howard has since disclosed that despite her prominent role, she was compensated significantly less than her male co-star.
Claire Dearing: A Lead Role With Unequal Pay
Howard portrayed Claire Dearing, the dedicated and ambitious operations manager of the dinosaur theme park, who later transformed into a fierce advocate for the prehistoric creatures. Despite her character’s importance to the storyline, Howard found herself in a frustrating position when it came to contract negotiations.
She recently spoke candidly about her experience, explaining how she was bound by a contract signed in 2014—a time when gender pay gaps in Hollywood were even more pronounced than they are today.
“When I started negotiating for Jurassic, it was 2014, and it was a different world. I was at a great disadvantage,” she revealed. “Unfortunately, you have to sign up for three movies, and so your deals are set.”
Reports in 2018 suggested that for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Howard earned approximately $8 million, while Pratt made $10 million. However, Howard has now confirmed that the figures circulating in the media were far from accurate—her pay was actually even lower than reported.
Reality Was Worse Than Reports Suggested
In an interview, Howard admitted that the initial reports about her salary discrepancies weren’t entirely correct.
“The reports were so interesting because I was paid so much less than the reports even said,” she emphasized.
She did not disclose the exact amount, but her statement implies a far greater disparity between her earnings and Pratt’s.
Chris Pratt’s Support in Closing the Gap Beyond the Films
Despite the unfair treatment she faced, Howard expressed gratitude toward her co-star, Chris Pratt, who took active steps to help even the playing field in other areas of the franchise.
Pratt, aware of the pay gap, took it upon himself to ensure Howard received equal compensation when it came to franchise-related opportunities such as merchandise, theme park attractions, and video game deals.
“Whenever there was an opportunity to move the needle on stuff that hadn’t been already negotiated—like a game or a ride—he literally told me, ‘You guys don’t even have to do anything. I’m gonna do all the negotiating. We’re gonna be paid the same, and you don’t have to think about this, Bryce.’”
She described her deep appreciation for Pratt’s efforts, stating, “I love him so much for doing that. I really do. Because I’ve been paid more for those kinds of things than I ever was for the movie.”
Other Hollywood Stars Who Have Spoken Out About Pay Inequality
Howard’s experience isn’t an isolated case. Many female actors in Hollywood have faced significant wage disparities despite playing pivotal roles in blockbuster films.
For instance, Jessica Chastain previously revealed that her salary for The Martian was greatly misreported. While some sources claimed she earned a substantial paycheck for the film, she later clarified that she actually made less than a quarter of the rumored amount.
Chastain reportedly earned $1.75 million, while her co-star Matt Damon was paid between $15 million and $25 million—a glaring example of the industry’s ongoing gender pay gap.
The Industry’s Longstanding Gender Pay Gap
The issue of unequal pay in Hollywood has been extensively studied. A 2019 study conducted by Dr. Sofia Sanchez, John S. Heywood, and Maria Navarro Paniagua analyzed the earnings of male and female actors, revealing that on average, female stars earned $2.2 million less per film than their male counterparts.
While certain factors, such as an actor’s overall popularity and the film’s genre, play a role in salary negotiations, the gender pay gap remains a systemic issue within the entertainment industry.
A Step Toward Progress?
Though Howard’s experience highlights ongoing pay inequities in Hollywood, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of advocacy and allyship in creating change. While she may not have received equal pay for her work in Jurassic World, her recognition of the issue, along with Pratt’s support, demonstrates a shift in industry attitudes—albeit a slow-moving one.
For many actors, the battle for fair pay is far from over. But with increased awareness and public pressure, Hollywood may gradually become a place where talent, rather than gender, dictates an actor’s paycheck.
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