This year it’s the girls only turn.

Forbes magazine has compiled a list of what the actor was paid verses the cost of the movie and then compared that to the money the movie brought it. They don’t say if it includes DVD sales or movie downloads (the legal ones!) so we’ll have to guess it’s just about the ticket sales in the theatre.

1. Naomi Watts – $44 for every $1 paid
2. Jennifer Connelly – $41 for every $1 paid
3. Rachel McAdams – $30 for every $1 paid
4. Natalie Portman – $28 for every $1 paid
5. Meryl Streep – $27 for every $1 paid
6. Jennifer Aniston – $26 for every $1 paid
7. Halle Berry – $23 for every $1 paid
7. Cate Blanchett $23 for every $1 paid
7. Anne Hathaway $23 for every $1 paid
7. Hilary Swank $23 for every $1 paid

You can go see the Forbes list at their website:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/05/best-actresses-buck-business-entertainment-naomi-watts.html

You can go see our list from last year here:

http://filmandmoviemaking.com/will-top-actors-bring-money-to-your-movie/

So here’s the advice for all you budding producers or directors.: Choose one of the guys on the list above and you can’t possibly fail to get a great financial return, but don’t hold me to that as the screenplay is still vitally important. Usually only a great script will get you though, but if you employ one of the actors listed above, then an average screenplay will probably suffice.

This is providing you can attach them to your movie and you can afford them. Surely the bank will lend you
the money based just upon the attached actor? Of course you’ll need $10 million for those at the top of the list and $5 million for those at the lower stages.