Not that that's a bad thing. As Streep and Clint Eastwood demonstrated in "The Bridges of Madison County," the older audience is substantial and capable of supporting a passionate romance between two older stars.
But this is where the economics really come into play. For "Bridges of Madison County," as with all his films, Eastwood has always taken less money upfront and a sizable cut of the profits--if there are any. Actors like Douglas and Ford still command top dollar--as much as $20 million a film and gross participation as well. And who's to say they don't deserve it? Ford's "Air Force One" was a worldwide blockbuster, grossing more than $300 million.
Superstar salaries almost ensure the film will cost upward of $50 million and, therefore, their appeal must be as broad as possible. Only Beatty worked for less to get "Bulworth" made. It still performed underwhelmingly at the box office, but at least he took responsibility for it.
Except for Nicholson, who has also romanced more mature leading ladies like Shirley MacLaine in "Terms of Endearment," as these actors have gotten older their leading ladies have remained the same age. They all have casting approval and demand younger co-stars, according to one casting agent. The actors argue that the roles are written for younger women, as if they had no power to alter that. The truth is that they desperately need the attentions of a beautiful young woman because she carries enough sex appeal for both of them.
Hollywood didn't create this double standard. But it certainly institutionalized it. In 1962, when Cary Grant (58) romanced Audrey Hepburn (33) in "Charade," audiences ate it up. A year earlier, when Vivien Leigh (48) ogled Warren Beatty (25) in "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," it was presented as prurient and pitiful. (For more of Hollywood's historic age disparities, see adjoining chart.)
It's more than just starring opposite nubile leading ladies. Though most of these men are old enough to be grandfathers--and a few of them are--they've even been reticent to play fathers (again Nicholson is the exception). And when they have, the children have always been under the age of 10. When Jodie Foster (35) wanted to play Douglas' daughter, and not his sister, in "The Game," the actor balked. The role was recast with Sean Penn (38) playing Douglas' younger brother.
