Bohemian Rhapsody Screenwriter Anthony McCarten says his biopic Queen, which grossed more than $900 million at the worldwide box office, is listed as a $51 million loss according to accounting reports issued by 20th Century Fox Film show. He’s now suing the manufacturer for breach of contract and asking the court to review the court-supervised accounting, plus monetary damages as well.
According to a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, McCarten (Darkest hour, Theory of everything) had a rights deal with the surviving members of Queen and wrote the script after interviews. However, the film project has been in “development hell” for many years, continuing the complaint of attorney Dale Kinsella and his team.
Finally, the movie was made, and it was produced by GK Films by Graham King, among others. The film will be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and is likely to be one of the biggest box office hits of the 21st century, however, at least according to this complaint, the parties never give an exact definition of net profit here. As a result, McCarten’s 5% ancillary stake remains of questionable value.
In Hollywood, inflows, fees, and expenses are deductible, and there must be a contract that outlines the exact accounting method of what counts. Usually, there are accounting disputes, but what McCarten’s complaint highlights is that despite the contractual obligations GK Films negotiated for the “standard definition” in “good faith,” that did not happen. out. Instead, the standard Fox return calculation was used.
“By taking this action, McCarten seeks to keep GK Films from fulfilling its promise in the Writers Agreement,” the complaint states. “If GK Films had a standard definition of Bohemian Rhapsody, he then looks for the benefit of that definition (plus any practices, including through riders) over Fox’s unconventional definition. If GK Films had a standard definition of is different project (for example: Argo (2012); Town (2010); or Aviator (2004)), but not Images, he then seeks the benefit of that definition(s)… And, if McCarten doubts, GK Films never had a standard definition, he then sought the benefit of the bargain in the form of 5% of any and all money GK Films made on the Image. ”
Despite the fact that Fox distributed the film and is releasing its accounting reports, the Disney division is not the defendant here. McCarten said his representatives have been negotiating directly with in-house attorneys at GK Films, not Fox, and there is clearly a strategy to direct the legal heat there (along with WGAW, Inc. ).
A representative for GK Films did not immediately respond to an opportunity to comment.
