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The “piece of crap” 1990s movies Jack Nicholson wanted nothing to do with: “I don’t need the money”
In 1994, Jack Nicholson said he would not take lucrative supporting roles in action blockbusters, arguing that studios were choosing profitable but poor films over work with greater substance. His stance reflected both his ability to choose projects freely and his criticism of an industry increasingly driven by market appeal.
Nicholson said he did not need the money or the aggravation of delivering a single line amid car crashes and explosions, even for a $15 million fee. While many of his contemporaries appeared in 1990s action films, he favoured other roles; the article points to his $15 million fee and Oscar win for *As Good As It Gets* as an example.
In short
- Nicholson rejected lucrative action-film cameos.
- He criticised studios for prioritising profit over quality.
- He said he did not need the money or aggravation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Nicholson’s position can be seen as a defence of artistic standards: established actors have the freedom to refuse lucrative roles that offer little beyond spectacle, and their choices can signal that commercial success need not come at the expense of substance. Since he did not need the fee, turning down work that he found creatively unrewarding was a reasonable exercise of that independence.
The case against
A strong counterargument is that action blockbusters can be worthwhile entertainment and technically ambitious filmmaking, even when their plots or dialogue are simple. Supporting roles in them can reach large audiences, provide valuable work for cast and crew, and help finance riskier projects; an actor’s preference for more substantial parts does not make those films inherently poor.