'Bohemian Rhapsody' Screenwriter Settles Profits Lawsuit Over Alleged Bait-and-Switch

[ificandream]

By Winston Cho/The Hollywood Reporter

Bohemian Rhapsody screenwriter Anthony McCarten has settled a lawsuit alleging he hasn’t seen his share of profits from the hit Freddie Mercury biopic despite it earning more than $900 million at the box office.

McCarten on Oct. 31 moved to dismiss the lawsuit against producer GK Films. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

The two-time Academy Award nominee (Darkest Hour, The Theory of Everything) received the sole “screenplay by” credit on the movie. Under his deal with GK Films, he’s entitled to “[a]n amount equal to 5% of 100%” of net proceeds, which was defined as the company’s standard definition, according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2021.

But McCarten alleged he hasn’t gotten any profits, with accounting statements issued by Fox’s 20th Century Studios showing a $51 million deficit for the movie. He took issue with the computation of net proceeds under Fox’s standard definition rather than GK Films’. As a result, distribution fees, which are typically deducted, ate away at his share.

Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/bohemian-rhapsody-screenwriter-settles-profits-lawsuit-1235636661/

[Xavier Breath]

1. I remember some years back reading an article about net points.

There were several stars who had taken a net points deal, only to get burned when the studios pulled their accounting shenanigans. Someone in the industry, it may have been an agent, said that accountants can make even the most successful movie look like a money-loser, so talent would be wise to steer clear of such deals. Again, this was some years ago, so I'm surprised that people are still signing off on that sort of deal.

[peppertree]

2. The old Hollywood accounting

Remember the Lord (some say, Bored) of the Rings franchise?

The Tolkiens didn't see a penny of the (billions) in profits, thanks to - you guessed it: Hollywood accounting.

Or rather, Hollywood magic.

[shrike3]

3. Winston Groom, author of Forest Grump, had a similar experience.

Expensive lesson, he said.

[peppertree]

4. 'Remember,' a wise man once told me: 'Gross, not net'

Not that I've had any such opportunities - but it's good to know just the same.

[shrike3]

5. Yep. Winston said he learned the hard way.