Costner sues 'Robin Hood' studio for unpaid royalties

It seems although Morgan Creek productions have been robbing from the rich and giving to... the rich. At least that's what Kevin Costner thinks: he's suing them for unpaid profits from 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.

Despite 21 years passing since the blockbuster film's release, Costner is adament that his share in the gross has been covered up by the studio.

The film made quarter of a billion dollars at the box office and has gone on to gross more through TV sales and home entertainment media.

Costner is demanding unspecified damages after Morgan Creek productions "obfuscated, concealed and reneged" on its deal. Morgan Creek claim that Costner has already been paid more than $25m and have questioned why he's suing now.

In his lawsuit, 'Dances With Wolves' Oscar winner Costner claims that the producers were supposed to pay him 15% of the gross receipts from the film upward of £60 million to which Morgan Creek allegedly under-reported home video receipts by up to 90%. Therefore, the 'Field of Dreams' star claims, he was stitched out of over a million.

Costner also alleges that Morgan Creek gave distribution rights to an international subsidiary which was in breach of its original agreement with him.

The lawsuit begins by stating: "Every actor hopes to star in a great movie that makes substantial profits.

"But if you're hoping to earn profits based on the success of your film and you want to be paid on a timely basis, then one company you certainly do not want to do business with is Defendant Morgan Creek Productions."

It goes on to state that Morgan Creek "intentionally concealed information and employed inaccurate and improper accounting practices designed to deprive Costner of his backend participation" and that the studio was "consistently late" in giving Costner updates before they then just "stopped altogether".

In all, Coster is alleging a breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment and breach of implied covenant or good faith dealing.

Morgan Creek chief executive James Robinson countered: "Why is it after 21 years Mr Costner finds fault with our accounting procedures or for that matter our way of doing business?

"We have paid him over $40 million (£25m). I think we've been very nice to him. I wonder how much money he has made from other films where he is participant. We've been very straight with him".
 

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