Quote - * * Really? Where have you been making movies, China, or India?
I have been an extra in over thirty films, shot in Hollywood, Vancouver, Taipei, etc. and I have never had to work that cheaply! Maybe I should have specified that I'm not talking about replacing "principle" extras, ie, the background people who are right next to, or behind the actor in a scene. I'm talking about huge crowds, or armies, such as were created by WETA using their "Massive" plug-in for  Lord of the Rings. The technology is nearly there, and getting cheaper and more accessable all the time.

Haha, ok ok ok.  I was making an estimate, and apparently it was pretty low.  And yes, the technology is nearly there, or at least what is released for commercial and private use is close to it, but it still takes time.  And that's the key, these companies are going to charge for that time, and charge high prices is something people like to do.