Orlando Bloom Only Got $175,000 for Playing Legolas in All Three Lord of the Rings Films

Actors usually get paid upwards of a million for starring in films, and with a movie trilogy like Lord of the Rings, you'd think that Orlando Bloom (Legolas) got paid something around that range. As it turns out, he apparently got "nothing" for his work as one of the most popular elves in pop culture.

Talking to Howard 100 (via Metro), Bloom revealed that he only got paid $175,000 for all three Lord of the Rings films. Bloom said, ‘Nothing, I got nothing. 175 grand.'

Bloom isn't bitter about landing the role though, and he says he would still take the part, even if it was for half the money. "Listen, greatest gift of my life. Are you kidding me? I'd do it again for half the money," Bloom said.

If anything, the films were a great starting point for Bloom, who was a relative unknown when Lord of the Rings was being filmed. After LOTR, he managed to land a role as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which paid Bloom a lot more money. He says, "I was in a good spot. They negotiated pretty well for me to buy a couple of houses, it was that kind of money."

I also have no doubt that Bloom asked for more when he was asked to come back to reprise Legolas in The Hobbit Trilogy.

For now, it looks like Bloom is done with LOTR. His latest project is called Carnival Row for Amazon Prime, and he'll be starring alongside Suicide Squad's Care Delevingne. What's funny is Amazon is also working on an upcoming Lord of the Rings series, and though we don't know if Bloom will be appearing, I'm sure a lot of people would have wanted to see Legolas make a return.

No release date has been set for Amazon's Lord of the Rings, but fans are suspecting an early 2021 premiere.

Read Also: Midsommar's Will Poulter Lands Lead Role in Amazon's Lord of the Rings