Michael Douglas' Biggest Career Mistake Cost Him Millions
The Hollywood legend admits passing on one animated movie voiceover opportunity turned out to be a financial disaster that haunts him more than any other career decision.
Post-holiday blues hit different when you're reflecting on missed opportunities worth hundreds of millions. Michael Douglas knows this feeling better than most actors in Hollywood.
The 81-year-old star recently opened up about his biggest professional regret. It wasn't turning down a dramatic role or missing out on an action franchise. Instead, Douglas passed on what seemed like a simple voiceover gig for Disney's Frozen back in 2013.
The $1.3 Billion Mistake
"One animation picture, just a voiceover, that would have been more profitable for me than any picture I'd ever done," Douglas admitted. The numbers back up his regret. Frozen pulled in nearly $1.3 bn worldwide, with its sequel earning even more six years later.
Had Douglas negotiated even a small percentage of revenue, he would have made more money than his entire previous filmography combined. That includes his iconic Wall Street performance as Gordon Gekko and the controversial Basic Instinct.
Risk-Taking in the '90s
The irony cuts deep. Douglas built his reputation taking massive career gambles during the 1990s. He chose Falling Down in 1993, a psychologically intense thriller about a man's violent breakdown during a Los Angeles traffic jam. The film sparked controversy for its nihilistic violence and critique of American society, arriving just one year after the devastating LA riots.
Before that, Douglas had already shocked audiences with Basic Instinct. The erotic thriller featuring Sharon Stone's infamous interrogation scene outraged religious groups but became a box office sensation.
These risky choices defined Douglas as an actor willing to push boundaries. Yet the safest bet he ever encountered became his greatest financial loss.
Late Career Redemption
Douglas didn't let the Frozen disappointment derail his career. He found his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the Ant-Man franchise alongside Paul Rudd. Three standalone films plus an Avengers: Endgame appearance kept him relevant with younger audiences.
Now mostly retired, Douglas has one more project in development. Reagan & Gorbachev will pair him with Christoph Waltz in a Cold War drama. Maybe this time he'll negotiate better terms.