The reason Jennifer Lawrence exited Linklater’s ‘The Rosie Project’

It’s a real shame for filmgoers that The Rosie Project, due to be helmed by Boyhood director Richard Linklater and feature Jennifer Lawrence, crumbled into nothing a while back. Sources tracked by The Hollywood Reporter state that Lawrence eventually walked on the project following contentious negotiations with Tom Rothman – Sony Pictures’ chairman.

These sources reveal that ‘Rothman was doing a lot of grinding on The Rosie Project, and it took its toll… if it had been done more quickly, it wouldn’t have fallen apart.’ Essentially, the two couldn’t close a deal for the film – despite Lawrence also reportedly agreeing to drop her salary in order to work with Linklater. Her decision isn’t surprising, especially as it follows her much talked-about essay in Lena Dunham’s newsletter, entitled ‘Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co‑Stars?’

It’s reported that Lawrence was the one who brought Linklater aboard the project in the first place, so it makes sense that he also quickly dropped out following the actor’s departure. If anything positive can be drawn from the sad fact that these two extremely talented artists won’t be working together after all, is that the discussion of female-male actor salaries could be opened up even wider.