Johnny Depp and James Cameron Made a Crazy Amount of Money in 2010

We all know that Hollywood's biggest names do quite well for themselves, but until you see a list like the one Vanity Fair unveiled today of the 40 biggest moneymakers of 2010, you really can't appreciate just how much of a haul the top of the top bring in. For instance, Johnny Depp has been in some huge movies, but the idea that the "Alice in Wonderland" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" star brought in $100 million in a 12-month span? Mind-boggling. And amazingly, he's not even 2010's biggest earner.

The Vanity Fair list is put together by compiling the estimated money that actors, writers, producers and directors (no agents or managers) collect from their film work, leaving out TV deals, endorsements, and other non-movie dough. And while the people you'd assume would be on the list are indeed on here, the number-crunching offers great insight into how people earn ridiculous riches: through lucrative back-end deals, which are a way for studios to pay talent a little less in salary in exchange for a percentage of the money that star's film earns, minimizing some of their financial risk.

Such a deal helped put Depp No. 2 on the Vanity Fair list. True, he landed a salary of $35 million for his turn in the forthcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel, $20 million from starring in "The Tourist," and $5 million in revenue from previous films. But the largest chunk of Depp's change appeared in the form of a back-end deal: He earned $40 million that way off "Alice in Wonderland." It's a good bet he won't see anything close to that amount in back-end from "The Tourist," which struggled domestically despite being a hit overseas.

But the king of the Vanity Fair list, writer-director James Cameron, garnered $257 million, snagging $248 million alone from back-end deals based on the theatrical, DVD, and pay-TV performance of "Avatar." By comparison, the $5 million he got from "Avatar" licenses and the $4 million he earned from revenue generated by his older films are mere drops in the bucket. (And that's not even including the $50 million he got in 2009 from back-end deals on "Avatar.") "Avatar" was a gigantic hit, sure, but it was so gigantic that Cameron made more than two-and-a-half times more money than Depp last year.

As for the rest of the Top 10, there aren't any major surprises. We learned that Steven Spielberg (No. 3) earned $50 million of his $80 million in 2010 from what Vanity Fair describes as "Universal-theme-park royalties and consulting fees." (You wonder why studios are so keen to make movies they can turn into amusement park rides? That's why.) Adam Sandler (No. 7) gets between $20 to $25 million for each film he stars in and produces. And Taylor Lautner (No. 9) makes $12.5 million per "Twilight" film (just like his co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart), although none of them apparently get any back-end profits from the franchise. They may want to talk to their management after they see this Vanity Fair piece.

Mona Lisa model was a "male" say Italian researchers

For centuries, people have been speculating about who modeled for Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." Was it Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine merchant? Was it Isabella of Aragon? Was it the artist himself, as some experts believe? Or was it, as new research suggests, none of the above?

An Italian art historian, Silvano Vinceti, believes the model for the "Mona Lisa" was a man named Gian Giacomo Caprotti, better known as Salai, a male apprentice (and possible lover) of da Vinci.

At a press conference in Rome on Wednesday, Vinceti explained his theory. "Salai was a favorite model for Leonardo," Vinceti said. "Leonardo certainly inserted characteristics of Salai in the last version of the 'Mona Lisa.'" Vinceti pointed out the similarities between the noses and mouths as examples.

Following the press conference, Web searches on "da vinci salai" and "gian giacomo caprotti" both soared.

Earlier this year, Vinceti remarked that he discovered some objects in the eyes of the "Mona Lisa." He says he has found the letter "S" in the woman's left eye, the letter "L" in her right eye, and the number "72" under the bridge in the background. The images are not visible to the naked eye. Scientific equipment was used.

Vinceti doesn't necessarily believe that Salai was the only inspiration for the world's most famous painting. At the press conference, the historian said, "the 'Mona Lisa' must be read at various levels, not just as a portrait." In other words, according to Vinceti, there were likely multiple inspirations for the painting.

Not everyone agrees with Vinceti's opinions. In an interview with the AP, Marani, an art professor at Milan's Politecnico University, called Vinceti's theory "groundless." He further remarked, "The work ('Mona Lisa') began as the portrait of Lisa Gherardini, but over the years in Leonardo's hands it slowly turned into something else: an idealized portrait, not a specific one."

This isn't the first time an art expert has linked Salai to one of da Vinci's works. Vinceti believes other works, including "St. John the Baptist," were also based on Salai. Others have floated the "Mona Lisa" theory as well.

Djokovic humbles Murray in Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic claimed his second title at the Australian Open in dominating style on Sunday when he hammered Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Djokovic claimed victory in 2 hours 37 minutes. The Serb dropped just one set in seven matches as he backed up the Melbourne trophy he won in 2008 when he beat Jo—Wilfried Tsonga.

Murray, seeded fifth, failed for the third time to become the first Briton to win a men’s singles title at the majors since Fred Perry at the 1936 U.S. Open. Murray lost the 2008 U.S. Open and 2010 Melbourne finals against Swiss Roger Federer, also in straight sets.

Djokovic’s victory completed a Davis Cup-Melbourne title double after he led Serbia to a first Davis title last month. The number three, who will remain on his current ranking behind Rafael Nadal and Federer, became the first man to complete that trophy feat since Jim Courier in the 1990s.

Djokovic had 26 winners and nine breaks from 17 chances. Murray was decimated by 47 unforced errors.

Djokovic takes the initiative

Djokovic began the evening with a decisive love game and then forced Murray to work hard in a second game spanning five deuces, which the Scot finally held for 1-1. The pair then settled in for a slugfest from the baseline.

With the first three games requiring 24 minutes, Djokovic finally broke the leisurely rhythm as he earned two set points on the Murray serve in the 10th game at the end of a brutal 39-stroke rally.

One chance was all it took as the Scot sent a return just over the baseline, confirmed by a Hawk-eye electronic replay which ended the 59-minute opener.

There was no stopping the charged-up Serb in the second set as Djokovic seized control to run out a 5-0 lead, with Murray’s body language and demeanour indicating a massive, growing frustration.

Djokovic knocked off a volley winner to earn a set point, but drove a forehand long in the sixth game. Murray avoided a love game by a hair as he fired an ace to get out of jail and onto the scoreboard, 1-5.

But the surprises didn’t end there, with Djokovic suddenly losing his way as he served for a two-set-to-love lead, dropping serve to love on forehand errors as Murray clawed back to 2-5. Djokokvic stopped the rot on his second set point, sending Murray deep and forcing a return error.

The third set featured breaks in four of the first five games.

Djokovic takes charge

Murray played a heroic fourth game, saving six break points before Djokovic fired a winner past the Scot for a 3-1 lead.

Murray tied again at 3-3 but Djokovic broke again for 5-3 and served out the victory a game later as Murray suffered a pair of forehand errors to end it.