Movies
‘Friday the 13th’: New Lawsuit from Sean Cunningham Goes After WB & Paramount for Lost Profits
The Friday the 13th franchise has been mired in legal troubles for several years now, with director Sean Cunningham and Friday the 13th (1980) writer Victor Miller battling it out in court to determine who actually owns the rights to that original slasher classic. Long story short, Miller had been granted the rights to his script, which Cunningham continues to dispute.
For the latest on that whole matter, click here to brush up on the case.
Meanwhile, we’ve learned via The Hollywood Reporter that a whole nother Friday the 13th legal battle is underway, with Sean Cunningham now going after WB and Paramount.
THR reports, “Friday the 13th producer Sean Cunningham has launched a new lawsuit over net profits from the horror franchise. According to a complaint filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the studios distributing the films have “systematically misaccounted” contingent compensation.”
The report continues, “The Friday the 13th franchise has grossed more than $129 million, according to the complaint, but Cunningham says audits revealed there’s been improper deductions of fees and bonuses, undervalued licenses, an underreporting of merchandizing revenue and pay TV income, and on and on. He also complaints that Paramount and Warner have redacted their “package” license agreements — preventing him from fully understanding the flow of money. He alleges that defendants’ “withheld documents would reveal that the Pictures’s distribution was structured to inequitably advance the interest of Defendants and favored third parties.”
The franchise is already on hold due to the Cunningham/Miller legal battle (which itself may be on hold right now due to the unfortunate passing of a judge involved in the case), and Cunningham’s new fight with both WB and Paramount throws another wrench in the mix. In the words of Crazy Ralph, the whole franchise seems quite doomed at the moment.
More as we learn it.
*UPDATE*: Larry Zerner broke down this latest lawsuit in a little more detail over on Twitter today, noting that it only pertains to Friday the 13th 2009. Click here for further insights.*
“You’ll never watch Aliens the same way again.” That’s the promise of upcoming documentary Aliens Expanded, which aims to be the ultimate companion to the 1986 classic.
In addition to featuring a brand new exclusive interview with director James Cameron, Bloody Disgusting has learned that star Sigourney Weaver has joined the production!
Recounting her history-making portrayal of the bad-ass, gender-breaking protagonist of Aliens, Sigourney Weaver joins the Aliens Expanded documentary to discuss the classic film.
In a candid, brand-new interview discussion with director Ian Nathan, Sigourney Weaver shares untold experiences from the set of Aliens, how Ripley’s world evolved in the sequel, and how the film has become a science-fiction classic.
In honor of Sigourney Weaver joining the production, the Aliens Expanded pre-sale has extended its campaign until May 13, 2024.
“Having Sigourney Weaver join Aliens Expanded is a crowning achievement,” says writer-director Ian Nathan. “Ripley is the heart of the film, the heart of the story, and Sigourney gave one of the defining performances of her career in Aliens. With her wonderful memories and thoughts, this documentary serves as the essential companion to the Alien universe. It is an honour to work with Sigourney, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what she brings to the documentary!”
Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ripley is considered one of the greatest characters in science-fiction, known for challenging gender roles in genre films and for changing the course of film history. The role of Ripley in Aliens also earned Weaver her first Academy Award nomination, a landmark achievement given the fact that the Academy had given little recognition to science-fiction and genre films.
“Ripley is a history-making character who changed the game in genre film,” says Robin Block, CEO of CREATORVC and producer of Aliens Expanded. “We are thrilled to welcome Sigourney Weaver into the fold of the documentary, joining her colleagues James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Paul Reiser and more. With her addition to the film, we are certain that fans will find Aliens Expanded to be the definitive documentary on the history-making film that changed cinema.”
Aliens Expanded supporters can be a part of history-in-the-making with pre-order packages made available at www.aliens-expanded.com, now extended until May 13,2024.
Offering unique opportunities for limited-run merchandise, limited Blu-ray editions of the film, and their name in the credits, fans can get their hands on their own piece of Aliens Expanded, slated for limited release in June 2024.
Want a taste? Exclusively watch the doc’s brand new trailer below….
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