An extra who appeared in a small role on screen in the 1997 film “Titanic” is now suing 20th Century Fox for a few words he was not properly compensated for.
Vi Jay was an extra in 1997’s “Titanic” and was originally cast for a non-speaking background actor in which he appeared at the beginning of the movie when the ship was being boarded. Jay now claims that director James Cameron gave him 2 lines of dialogue last minute the day of the shoot. Vi Jay’s given line was apparently “Yes. Yes ma’am,” in response to Kathy Bates’ character, Molly Brown, who had asked Jay’s character to handle her luggage.
According to the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) no matter how big or small the speaking role for the actor may be, they are entitled to SAG benefits, including residual income from the film’s profits. Jay said he was only paid $60 a day as an extra on the film. In the lawsuit filed, Jay is suing 20th Century Fox for his residual share of the film’s revenue which grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
