Who would have ever thought a raunchy comedy about three guys running amok in Vegas would turn into a cash machine? Warner Brothers certainly didn’t the first time around, and neither did the actors. But The Hangover is the gift that keeps on giving, and now all the players are going to be paid handsomely. According to Deadline, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zack Galifianakis, and director Todd Phillips have all locked in some big money deals to reprise their roles in the sequel to the smash hit.

Warner Brothers got an absolute bargain the first time around with this crew. None of the actors made more than $300,000 (but did get a $1 mil bonus check). Not chump change for sure, but nowhere near a healthy percentage considering the revenue The Hangover generated/keeps generating (over $450 million worldwide). Now the lead actors will all pull in around $5 million against 4% of the gross. That’s a pretty nice raise.

But Todd Phillips makes out like the real bandit here. His deal is reported to be worth $10 million against 10% of the gross and according to Deadline

or Phillips, there are also escalators and bonuses that insure if the sequel does anywhere close to the original’s $467 million worldwide gross, Phillips will not make less than his income on the original. That meter is still running, and it has passed the $50 million mark.

I’m no financial advisor, but that is a payday no matter what way the sequel breaks. The Hangover caught lightening a bottle, and it remains to be seen if the sequel can come anywhere close to the original’s popularity (this writer has his doubts), but at least the actors who made the first so damn enjoyable will realize the fruit of their drunken and lewd labors.