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Former Godzilla Producers' Suit Against Legendary Pictures Goes to Court
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
California appeals court judge Judith Ashmann-Gerst denied Legendary Pictures' appeal to request arbitration in its case against former Godzilla producers Roy Lee, Dan Lin, and Doug Davidson.
Judge Ashmann-Gerst wrote, "We agree that it appears that the parties intended to memorialize in writing the terms of their oral agreement. The draft long-form agreement may have been an attempt to do so; but, respondents objected to many of the terms and expressly reserved the right to object to other terms. And, in any event, the draft long-form agreement indicated that it was not final until executed by the parties -- it never was."
Superior Court Judge Abraham Kahn denied a request to move the lawsuit between Legendary Pictures and former the former producers to arbitration in May.
Lee, Lin, and Davidson asked for a jury trial in their countersuit against production company Legendary Pictures. Legendary asserted that an arbitration clause in the 2011 draft contract states that any lawsuits will be handled in private court. However, the former producers asserted that the contract was never signed.
The trio's lawyer Larry Stein said, "We are pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed with our legal and factual position. We look forward to presenting our case in a court of law before a jury. We are confident the jury will find in our favor.”
The former producers are seeking US$25,000 developmental fee, fixed compensation of $1.3 million, and three percent of the first-dollar gross receipts of the film based on alleged oral agreements made with Legendary Pictures.
The Godzilla film will premiere on May 16.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
