... its pretty egotistical to think you are irreplaceable...

Is he egotistical? Or is he maybe just ok not taking those roles? Kinda weird that you assume you know his thoughts. You might think that way if you were famous, but not everyone thinks that way.

... nobody needs him. if he's going to demand star wages for himself and everyone working on the project he simply won't be offered jobs.

I'm sure he will suddenly stop getting any offers at all. /s

All it has to be is a movie where the woman is the main lead or someone more established than him and she will already be getting paid the same or more depending on the role.

that's why I said hes either going to be taking a pay cut or some time off.

I don't know why, but it feels like you want this to happen for some reason. To like teach him a lesson for wanting equal pay.