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.