Sienna Miller says Chadwick Boseman gave up part of his salary to boost her pay for "21 Bridges"
Author: Wardah Sempa | Wednesday 30th September 2020
Chadwick Boseman posthumously graces the cover of Empire magazine this month, and the issue is filled with interviews and remembrance of the actor, who died in August after a battle with colon cancer. In the issue, actress Sienna Miller tells a story about the inspiring actor that reminds us to why he will truly be missed to the world.
Miller told Empire that Boseman, who co-starred in and produced the 2019 film "21 Bridges," was a fan of her work and wanted her to be in the film. "So he approached me to do it, he offered me this film, and it was at a time when I really didn't want to work anymore," she said. "I'd been working non-stop and I was exhausted, but then I wanted to work with him."
Boseman also pushed for her to receive a higher salary. He donated part of his own salary to boost Miller's pay, the actress said.
"I didn't know whether or not to tell this story, and I haven't yet," Miller said in the interview. "But I am going to tell it because I think it's a testament to who he was."
Miller said she asked for a salary that the studio wouldn't pay her. She noted the pay disparity between men and women in Hollywood and said she was hesitant to get back into acting since her daughter was just beginning school.
She said she would only do the film "if I'm compensated in the right way."
Miller said Boseman's generosity was "about the most astounding thing" she has experienced. "That kind of thing just doesn't happen. He said, 'You're getting paid what you deserve, and what you're worth.' It's just unfathomable to imagine another man in that town behaving that graciously or respectfully," she continued. "In the aftermath of this I've told other male actor friends of mine that story and they all go very, very quiet and go home and probably have to sit and think about things for a while."