Resolution Reached: Bohemian Rhapsody Screenwriter's Financial Lawsuit Settled After 5 Years, Following $910M Success of Queen Biopic
Screenwriter protests financial damages in $910M Queen biopic lawsuit settled 5 years after Bohemian Rhapsody's release
Article Overview
The Bohemian Rhapsody profits lawsuit has been settled after the biopic's immense success, which earned over $910 million and won four Oscars.
Screenwriter Anthony McCarten filed a lawsuit against GK Films alleging non-payment of his rightful five percent share of net proceeds. However, the details of the settlement remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, the film's substantial profits and excellent reception from both audiences and critics have firmly established its position in the annals of cinema.
The lawsuit regarding the profits of the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic has been officially resolved. The 2018 film, produced by GK Films, focused on Freddy Mercury (played by Rami Malek) and the band Queen from their inception. Despite receiving negative reviews, the movie grossed over $910 million with a budget of around $50 to $55 million. It also achieved success at the Academy Awards, winning four categories, including Best Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. During this period of triumph, screenwriter Anthony McCarten filed a lawsuit against GK Films.
McCarten claimed that his contract entitled him to five percent of the movie's net proceeds. However, following the release, McCarten alleged that he did not receive any payment from GK Films. The studio apparently reported a loss of $50 million on a movie that earned $910 million. McCarten decided to take the matter to court, but the details of the settlement have not been disclosed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Lawsuit Over Bohemian Rhapsody
Following the conclusion of the WGA strike on September 27, the challenges faced by writers in both financial and creative aspects have been a prominent concern for the public. At the center of this issue, McCarten filed a lawsuit in 2021, fighting for the payment he was supposedly promised. He was not the only one opposing net proceeds definitions, as actor Gerard Butler also initiated a lawsuit in 2021 regarding the net proceeds of the film Olympus Has Fallen.
The main focus of the McCarten lawsuit revolves around the definition of "net proceeds". GK Films reportedly utilized the definition provided by 20th Century Studios, while McCarten operated under the assumption that GK Films' definition would be used. Consequently, instead of subtracting distribution fees, McCarten found himself facing reduced earnings.
McCarten expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of a clear definition for any of the movies, suggesting that GK Films was not acting in good faith during the contract development process. While the primary concern in the case was the contractual terms, this matter has now been completely resolved. Although the details of the settlement are expected to remain undisclosed, McCarten is content enough to terminate the lawsuit relating to Bohemian Rhapsody.
Source: THR
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Queen and the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, I have mixed feelings about the lawsuit and its resolution. On the one hand, I am glad that the screenwriter, Anthony McCarten, has finally been compensated for his work. He was an integral part of the film's success, and it is only fair that he should share in its profits.
On the other hand, I am concerned about the precedent that this settlement could set. If screenwriters are now able to sue for a percentage of a film's net profits, it could make it more difficult for independent filmmakers to get their movies made. Studios will be less likely to take risks on new projects if they know that they could be on the hook for millions of dollars in potential profits.
Ultimately, I believe that the resolution of this lawsuit is a positive step forward for screenwriters. It sends a message that studios cannot take advantage of their writers and that they must be compensated fairly for their work. However, I hope that this case does not lead to a flood of similar lawsuits that could stifle creativity and innovation in the film industry.
