Tim Miller, the director behind the 2016 box office hit Deadpool, recently opened up about his earnings from the project, revealing that despite the film’s massive success, his pay as a first-time director wasn’t particularly lucrative. Speaking at an event, Miller disclosed that he was paid $225,000 for directing Deadpool, a film that went on to gross over $782 million globally.

Miller, making his feature directorial debut with the Ryan Reynolds-led superhero flick, reflected on the financial realities of helming such a blockbuster early in his career. "It’s not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood," he explained, according to Deadline. "I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that’s not a ton."

While expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Miller recounted a conversation with his agent, who bluntly pointed out the disparity in pay. "My agent said, 'Dude, you make more on an episode of The Walking Dead.'" Miller added that although the experience wasn’t financially rewarding in the short term, he feels fortunate to have contributed to the Deadpool franchise.

Despite the film's massive box office haul, Miller admitted to wishing he had a stake in the merchandising, joking that such a deal could have been far more profitable in the long run.

Following Deadpool's success, Miller did not return to direct the sequel. Instead, David Leitch took the reins for the 2018 follow-up. The franchise evolved further after Disney acquired Fox in 2017, bringing Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The third installment, Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy, hit theaters in 2024.