Bankable star

Hiring a bankable star helps a film company to secure investment, distribution, and garner media attention.

Media consultant Blake Harris[2] states that a bankable star is one of the "3 minimum ingredients to any film package," the other two being a successful director and a script or a strong story idea.

"[5] Voters were asked which stars "did the most to attract financing to a film, ensure its global distribution, and deliver that hugely important opening weekend based on the strength of their good name."

[8] [9] The list was created by veteran entertainment journalist James Ulmer, who developed a 100-point method to quantify a star's value to a film production, in terms of getting a movie financed and the cameras rolling.

The Ulmer Scale also takes into account an actor's history (box office successes vs. failures), versatility, professional demeanor, and ability and willingness to travel and promote movies.