Adrien Brody sues to keep Giallo from release
The Hollywood Reporter states that Adrien Brody signed a "pay or play" contract to appear in the project, but soon discovered that Giallo was under funded, and that producers had failed to pay upwards of $640,000 into an escrow account. Brody was prepared to walk away from the set, but instead signed a new contract that deferred his paycheck in exchange for having the "absolute right to withhold consent to the use of his likeness in the Picture" until he was paid in full.
Last Thursday, Adrien Brody claimed in federal court that he had never been paid for appearing in Giallo, and that producers claims of new funding on the project at the time he signed his new contract were fraudulent. When Brody tried to apply his contractual obligation to withhold Giallo from release, producers ignored him.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Adrien Brody "wants a permanent injunction against distribution of the film as well as the $640,000 he's owed, plus $2 million more for breach of contract, breach of fair dealing, fraud, and misappropriation of his publicity rights."
Giallo was released October 19th, 2010 and stars Adrien Brody, Emmanuelle Seigner, Elsa Pataky, Robert Miano, Silvia Spross, Luis Molteni, Byron Deidra, Daniela Fazzolari. The film is directed by Dario Argento.
Comments (15)
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Cyn
@Sly - then maybe they should just thank their lucky stars he's only suing them in civil court for $2 mill and cough up the cash.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
slysnide
@Cyn: Brody has a criminal case on his hands. He can charge these guys with breach of contract and take them to court, and they'd get more than a mere slap on the wrist via a fine. They probably figured they could pay him the 640 from the box office receipts before he noticed anything was awry, but failed, hence why they gave him the right to withhold the home media release. Hence also, this is a criminal case where he's entitled to his $640K, and they can go down seriously for this rather than a mere slap on the wrist, for they can get the $2million from their own salaries. That's all I'm saying. Take them to criminal court as he's got a case rather than civil court to sue for extra cash as he's entitled to the 640 either way.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Completely agree with @Cyn.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Err, haha, I was thinking the same thing. Sorta.
Seriously guys, the man was ripped off. Just because he is a star and has money doesn't mean he isn't entitled to what he was promised. 2 million dollars? To him, thats letting them off easy. Personally, I am rooting him on. If you were in that position, and you were in the right, and the greedy f*cks screwed you over and ignored you numerous times, would you not want to get them back where it hurts? Come on!
Don't let the fact that he has money cloud your vision. He's right, their wrong, case closed.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Cyn
The $2 million is what he's suing for breach of contact, PLUS the money he was owed. I'm sorry, but if someone decides to ignore a contract and also not pay you diddly-squat for the services you've already rendered, you are well within your rights to sue them. Doesn't mean he'll get it, but I bet they're sweating bricks right now.
@B3njamin - Yes. Really. Unless he's paid, then technically he has not yet 'signed off' on allowing his image to be used. They can't release the movie if you don't get talent releases. Period. Not because he's famous. That's how it works with ALL performers. Why should they be allowed to release the movie he provided services for, but they haven't paid for? It doesn't work like that in the real world - it sure as hell shouldn't work like that in the film industry either.
Film producers are some of the most arrogant SOBs on the planet. I hope they're feeling the boot up their arses right now.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
slysnide
We're not arguing that he's in the wrong. He's not. But to ask for a two million dollar bonus for breach of contract??? If he was only offered 640, then given his resume, that's a sign that it's a low budget film. But 2 million?? Does he really need 2 million in damages???? The legality alone will as you pointed out would kill the producer's rep. But even for a breach of contract, two million's pushing it.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
B3njamin
Damn.. Brody can be an *sshole if he wants to. I can understand the $640,000 owed.. but holding the movie for ransom..really??
2 years agoby @b3njaminFlag
Err
this is actually in my mailbox from netflix as we speak, i'm looking forward to watching it.
it sucks he didn't get paid, but from a nerd-perspective.... dooood, its adrian brody in a dario argento movie.... sweeeeet.
2 years agoby @err2005Flag
Dan
I believe in being fair, so if he was promised the $640,000, pay the man what he was promised. The 2 million dollars, if I was a judge, I'd tell him you got what you were owed, have a nice day now. If he persisted, I'd go all Judge Judy on his ass.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
KaoNoshi
Hes not bitching. He wasn't paid. I'm a graphic designer... if I completed a project for someone and they didn't pay me I would sue too.
2 years agoby @kaonoshiFlag
Cyn
@CBF and @Sly. Really? It's not about contractual, legal obligations being completely ignored by "producers" who appear to have lied to him, and haven't paid him one red cent for his services?
It will hurt their reputations and careers, much more so than his.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
slysnide
@CBF: Too true. This'll only hurt his rep as it's just another example of a star bitching about being underpaid for a horror film no less. $640K for a single low budget horror flick is ridiculous no matter who's in it. My drift being that it probably wasn't underfunded, but was just low budget. Jeez if only this movie was more hyped then Brody would be kicking himself right now! XD
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
CBF
OMG another movie star needs another 2 million dollars, everybody hold your breath! Lame. Release the movie.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
Brian
Crazy.
2 years agoby @brianFlag
The Soylent Green Monkey
Wow. lol
I hope he gets his cash.
2 years agoby @soylentgreen2Flag