Did Snobby "Sahara" Stars Sandbag Movie Budget?

We all know beauty isn't cheap -- but looking as good as Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz costs a bloody fortune!
Penelope and Matt
According to a special report from Glenn Bunting of the Los Angeles Times, the people behind the legally troubled 2005 movie, "Sahara," shelled out more than $350,000 to keep the actors fit, fed and and fabulous -- leaving the film's budget, well, in the dust.

In the report, set to be published tomorrow, Bunting claims he has obtained official documents verifying the outrageous expenditures, which include:

Penelope's hairstylist -- $135,550
Penelope's dialogue coach -- $125,804
Matt's Personal trainer -- $67,977
Matt's Personal Chef -- $48,893


With costs like these, it's no wonder the film reportedly needed a colossal $130 million budget!

Reader Comments

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31. 300,000 out of a 130 million budget? That's very minimal, I don't see how this even affects the budget of the movie. Maybe TMZ should be looking into other areas of the budget that were far greater than the 300,000 spent to do this.

Posted at 6:21PM on Apr 16th 2007 by Ernesto

32. Well, don't blame the actors for this...wouldn't you love to ask YOUR employer for such perks and get them?!! Of course you would. And of course your employer would wisely turn down your request because they could not run a successful business by spending tons of money on pampering their employees to this degree. It's part of the deal in Hollywood - to attract the biggest names they can to be in their movies the producers have to offer unbelievable perks. They figure they will make enough more money with the big name actors to make it worthwhile. Too bad for these producers that these two "actors" were the best they could come up with.

Posted at 8:17PM on Apr 15th 2007 by badmovie

33. BOINKING ON THE BRAIN. THAT'S WHAT DID THIS MOVIE IN !!!

Posted at 2:04PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Sue T.

34. SAHARA ??????? GEE I MUST HAVE MISSED IT ........... LOL THEY COULD'VE SAVED A BUNCH IF THEY HAD A ACTRESS WHO'S FIRST LANGUAGE WAS ENGLISH ...... WHY THE DIALOGUE COACH ?????? 125 GRAND COULD'VE BOUGHT ALOT OF FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS SOMEWHERE........ HOLLYWOOD ...... GET A GRIP

Posted at 3:25PM on Apr 15th 2007 by themomma

35. Do these add-on staffers kick back anything to the stars? Personal chef? Is this the guy who runs his kitchen at his house all year round? Dialogue coach? These are add-ons to a star's salary and perks. This lawsuit will air everyone's dirty laundry and all the deals that are made.

Posted at 2:15PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Victoria

36. What a waste of money. Penelope, can not act, speak properly, no personality, uuugh As for what's his name, he looks like a dirt bag. Producers and Directors let them shell out their own money. Just like the rest of us. Stop giving into the whims of these losers. There's always someone just like them waiting for a chance. For a lot less money.

Posted at 7:35PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Anna

37. I don't see why everyone thinks she's so great. DIALOGUE COACH??? DUH, NEXT TIME, HIRE AN ACTRESS WHO DOESN'T NEED ONE BECAUSE SHE CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK CLEAR ENGLISH. (And obviously it's not working so well because she's hard to understand).

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Nobody

38. 28. Lets adress this , Cruz need a full time hair styilst ? . Can anyone tell me why ? , or was this her "personal" styilst , and if so she sould pay out of pocket for that . Also if she is a professinal actress , pray tell me why she need's a "dialogue coach" WTF as a "professional" actress she should be able to accomplish she craft without the aid of this ? !. McConaughey also , if he need a "personal, trainer/chef" those are expences he should bare , to have the privlege to work on this film .That to me is the cost of working in the industry .
And until these prducers have the guts to deny this crap they will be stuck with it . As a bussnessman you must control your costs and if you dont the costs will consume you , If I knew this when I was approached by agents to reprsent me I would have said yes to them . this beats working for a living . Besides these two "stars" are more like B actors then alot of others .
Can anyone tell me what Oscars have either one of them won ? , or even been nominated for ?, of what blocbuster , max grossing flicks have they been in ? , I'm still wating , hope I dont die before someone comes up with one , naw I figure I still have about anothe 2000 years before either one of them wins or does a max gross film , give me a break ,LOL , two frigging clowns . But more importantley a bunch of very foolish producers , wake up and act like you care about the bottom line , be bussnessmen , care .

Posted at 12:35PM on Apr 15th 2007 by craphound


beats working you crappy job does'nt it ??

Posted at 2:58PM on Apr 15th 2007 by cruz/mcC.

39. people,people, it's ok.if you don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend.not cannot afford the price of a
ticket.your mommy and daddy still love you. DON't THEY ?

Posted at 3:06PM on Apr 15th 2007 by hollywoodbuzz

40. I will not support these or any other actors.

I am plain stupid to be part of the group who are ' the poor watching the rich'...Our $$$$$$ goes to them and the studios.

Posted at 3:01PM on Apr 15th 2007 by OMG

41. ok, these two are so fugly. matthew is disgusting looking. it's amazing how poor his hygeine is considering how rich he is. you'd think he'd pay to have a good bath.

Posted at 4:08PM on Apr 15th 2007 by fuglyhasbeen

42. All that just for pretending. The first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Posted at 4:17PM on Apr 15th 2007 by vjer

43. It took TMZ this long to report the story?

WTF?

Losers!

Posted at 4:37PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Just wondering???????????

44. 28

Cruz WAS nominated for an OSCAR THIS YEAR for her role in 'Volver'

Posted at 6:06PM on Apr 15th 2007 by Jay

45. All that money and he is still a asshole

Posted at 6:48PM on Apr 15th 2007 by ihearvoicesandtheydontlikeyou

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