Cameras are set to start rolling on The Summer I Turned Pretty film in Wilmington, North Carolina on 27 April, but a salary dispute involving the young cast is simmering behind the scenes. The movie follows the wildly popular Prime Video series, but at least some of the lead actors felt forced to agree to the film in order to secure pay rises for the third season.
According to sources, Lola Tung, Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno — who play Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah — began the series earning around $35,000–$40,000 per episode for season one, typical for newcomers. The show’s viewership grew significantly in season two, leading to salary renegotiations with Wiip, the indie studio that handles talent deals alongside Amazon MGM Studios.
The renegotiations were at an advanced stage when the actors were asked to commit to the film. Sources close to the talent say at least some of the stars resisted but were told they would only receive salary bumps if they signed up for the movie. With Wiip holding firm, the actors ultimately agreed, with the film becoming part of their renegotiated contracts for season three. Some felt they signed “under duress,” though studio sources claim the actors were aligned on the idea.
There is conflicting information on the size of the pay rises; some sources put the lead trio’s season three earnings at around $100,000 per episode. As the series lead, Lola Tung is believed to have received a higher raise. The situation highlights how young actors on hit YA shows can struggle to fully capitalise on their success due to limited bargaining power.
