Although the trilogy became a worldwide box office phenomenon and transformed many of its cast members into household names, Astin said the financial rewards he received failed to reflect the extraordinary level of fame the films generated.
The actor made the comments in a new interview, while also discussing the prospect of returning to Middle-earth, his interest in politics and his current role as president of SAG-AFTRA.
A source close to the movie star claimed: “Sean has always looked back on the films with enormous affection, but he’s also candid about the realities of the business.
“His experience is a reminder that appearing in a hugely successful franchise does not always guarantee life-changing financial rewards if the original deal doesn’t reflect what the project eventually becomes.”
Astin said: “I was not prepared for that level of visibility and access.
“And there was a disconnect between the attention that I was getting and how much money we had. It was not a lot of money! In fact, I had to sell my house because I negotiated such a small amount on the trilogy.”
Despite the financial pressures he experienced at the time, Astin said his circumstances have changed considerably in the years since, adding that he is now “very comfortable financially now.”