Tom Hardy offers to pay wages of crew on Guy Ritchie series after company failure
The 47-year-old actor from Venom recently shot scenes for the series in London, where approximately 50 freelance construction workers were not compensated for their work.
As reported by The Times, the firm hired to construct the sets went bankrupt, which resulted in £250,000 in unpaid wages just before the holiday season.
Last week, the company’s CEO reportedly told employees that their salaries might be postponed until after the New Year, leading to a lot of concern and anxiety among the staff.
It was only after Hardy offered to pay the workers' salaries that Paramount took action to address the situation and make sure the payments were organized.
A source informed the news outlet, "He was willing to cover the costs, but the payment has been handled by the production team and Paramount."
Guy Ritchie's production has encountered additional challenges.
At the same time, a source familiar with the situation at Paramount shared their anger regarding the matter, stating that steps were being taken to make sure the employees received their wages.
In a letter acquired by the outlet, Chris Hudson, a representative from the broadcasting union Bectu, expressed, “Our members should be treated with honor and respect, and they should receive timely payment for their efforts. It is completely intolerable that they are experiencing serious financial instability, especially with Christmas approaching.”
As Christmas approaches, many of our members are understandably upset, with numerous individuals worried they won't be able to afford essential items.
The Standard has reached out to Tom Hardy's representative and a spokesperson for Paramount+ for their input.
The Associate signifies the second partnership between Ritchie and Hardy, who had previously worked together on the 2008 crime thriller RocknRolla.
Featuring Pierce Brosnan and Dame Helen Mirren, the series centers around two rival families in London, whose operations span the globe. It also tells the story of a devoted fixer tasked with safeguarding one of these families, no matter the cost.
Dame Helen Mirren is also part of the cast for the series.
At 71 years old, Brosnan will portray Conrad Harrigan in the show, taking on the role of the leader of a highly successful Irish crime syndicate.
The role of Harry Da Souza, a professional mediator working for Brosnan's character, will be portrayed by the 47-year-old actor Hardy.
Dame Helen, who is 79 years old, will take on the role of Maeve Harrigan, the wife of Conrad and the head of the Harrigan family.
Discussing the upcoming show, Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global, stated: "Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren are exceptional talents in their field, and we are thrilled to have them as the main cast members for Guy Ritchie's new original series aimed at a global audience."
"The creative talent of Guy, Jez Butterworth, and Ronan Bennett as executive producers, combined with the skills of these talented actors, is an ideal combination for what we expect will become the next signature series for Showtime on Paramount+."
