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The movie pulled from cinemas in 1998 purely to spite Robin Williams: “Because greed”
Robin Williams agreed to appear in *Good Will Hunting* for $5 million—far below his usual $20 million fee—in exchange for a share of the film’s profits once it passed $60 million at the box office. After the film became a major success, reportedly earning more than twice that threshold, Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein allegedly tried to persuade Matt Damon to ask Williams to renegotiate the deal, but Damon refused.
Rather than allow Williams to earn more as the film continued performing in cinemas, Weinstein reportedly removed it from theatres in 1998 and shifted it to home video, where Williams received a smaller share. Despite the decision, the film made nearly $250 million, won major awards and still generated substantial earnings for Williams, with Kevin Smith later suggesting its theatrical run was curtailed because of greed.
In short
- Robin Williams traded a lower fee for a lucrative profit-sharing deal.
- Miramax reportedly pulled the hit film to limit his earnings.
- *Good Will Hunting* still made nearly $250 million.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A studio can reasonably decide when to end a theatrical run and move a successful film to home video, where it may reach new audiences and generate further revenue. If the contract allowed that shift and the film continued earning substantial sums, the decision could be defended as ordinary business rather than proof of spite.
The case against
If the account is accurate, ending the cinema run after Williams had accepted a much lower fee in exchange for profit participation could look like an attempt to limit his agreed share. Weinstein’s reported effort to have Damon press Williams to renegotiate, followed by the move to home video, strengthens the concern that the decision served the studio’s interests at Williams’s expense.
Explained simply
Good Will Hunting was a major 1997 film that became a critical and commercial success. Robin Williams agreed to accept a reduced upfront payment of $5 million—well below his typical $20 million fee—in exchange for a percentage of the film's profits once it crossed $60 million at the box office.
The film far exceeded this threshold, earning substantially more than double that amount. However, Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein reportedly withdrew the film from cinemas in 1998 and shifted it to home video distribution, a decision that would have reduced the share of profits Williams received compared to a prolonged theatrical release.
This situation illustrates disputes between studios and talent over how profits are distributed and how films are released strategically. Although the film eventually earned Williams a substantial sum and won major awards, the early removal from theatres became a notable example of tensions over profit-sharing arrangements in the film industry.