MUMBAI: Director Martin Scorsese has been sued by Cecchi Gori Pictures for going back on his promise of making a film project that he agreed to do 22 years ago.
According to the production house, the 69-year-old had entered into an agreement to make a film titled Silence way back in 1990. But, it was put on the back burner so that he could work on three of his films — The Departed, Shutter Island and Hugo.
The director had reportedly signed a new agreement to make Silence again in 2004 but kept delaying the project to make Wolf of Wall Street.
It is said that Scorsese paid for the right to do each of those films before Silence but never paid the hefty fee for Hugo.
The suit alleges the director owing Cecchi Gori Pictures a fee of $1.5 million, plus the value of his producer title on ‘Hugo‘ + 20 perc ent of his back-end on ‘Hugo‘.
Meanwhile, Martin Scorsese‘s representatives expressed shock that that Cecchi Gori Pictures has sued the famed director.
"It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures," Scorsese‘s representatives said in a statement.
"Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action," the statement added.
Category: International
-
Martin Scorsese faces lawsuit for delayed project
-
Gerard Butler not part of 300 sequel
MUMBAI: Gerard Butler has denied that he will be part of 300: Battle of Artemisia, the prequel and sequel of the 2007 film 300.
The 42-year-old Butler, who played King Leonidas in the original, said that the talks did not work out.
"I‘m not doing it. They‘re filming it right now. I wish them the best, but it didn‘t work out. It wasn‘t really my thing," Butler confided.
Battle of Artemisia will focus more on Persian king-turned-god Xerxes, who leads an army against Greek forces.
Written by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, the film, starring Rodrigo Santoro, Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Jamie Blackley and Jack O‘Connell, will be directed by Noam Murro. -
Richard Gere to be honoured at Zurich Film Festival
Mumbai: Richard Gere will be honoured with a special award at the Zurich Film Festival that is to begin from 20 September.
The 62-year-old actor will be conferred the Golden Icon Award for his career achievements.
"Richard Gere is an extraordinary man whose accomplishments in Hollywood are equalled by his humanitarian achievements. We are honoured to recognise his amazing career," festival director Karl Spoerri said.
The actor‘s new film Arbitrage will also be screened at the festival. -
Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie to open London Film Fest
Mumbai: Tim Burton‘s latest film, Frankenweenie will kick off the BFI London Film Festival, scheduled from 10 to 21 October. The screening will be accompanied by an exhibition of the film‘s original artwork.
The film tells the story of a young boy who tries to bring his beloved dog back to life. It features the voices of Winona Ryder and Martin Short.
Describing the film, the director for the London Film Festival Clare Stewart described it as a “perfect choice of opener.” Calling the film “funny, dark and whimsical,” she averred, “this gloriously crafted stop-motion 3D animation from Tim Burton playfully turns the Frankenstein story on its bolted-on head.”
The exhibition, which is called The Art of Frankenweenie, will run from 17-21 October.
-
John Travolta set to star in remake of The Toxic Avenger
MUMBAI: 58-year-old John Travolta is all set to play an important role in the Steve Pink-directed action comedy project that is said to be the remake of The Toxic Avenger.
“Travolta will not play The Toxic Avenger himself but is part of the film. Pink just signed on to direct 2 other pics too,” a source said in a statement.
Written by Pink and Daniel C Mitchell, The Toxic Avenger remake is based on the 1984 comedy horror film.The original film was set in Tromaville, New Jersey which was terrorized by criminals.
-
Life of Pi to open New York Fest; Nicole Kidman to be honoured
MUMBAI: Ang Lee‘s Life of Pi will be the opening film of the New York Film Festival. With this, it will be the first time ever that a 3D movie has been chosen to open the festival.
Another notable thing that is going to happen at the festival would be that Oscar-winning star Nicole Kidman would be honoured by the festival authorities.Said festival director Richard Pena, “Nicole Kidman is one of the finest contemporary actresses. Since her breakthrough performance in To Die For and her bold and provocative appearances in Lars Von Trier‘s Dogville, Stanley Kubrick‘s Eyes Wide Shut, her award-winning portrayal of Virginia Wolf in Stephen Daldry‘s The Hours, the actress has been demanding complex, bold and demanding roles for herself. We are excited to honor her with a tribute at the New York Film Festival.”
Being dubbed as one of film‘s finest contemporary actresses, the actress will be honoured with a gala tribute at the event on October 3.
The New York Film Festival will get underway from 28 September, will close on 14 October. -
Ridley Scott suspends film shoot to be with his grieving family
MUMBAI: TFollowing the death of his brother Tony, director Ridley Scott has put a halt of the shoot of his new film The Counselor to be with his family. It has now emerged that he has suspended shooting on his new project, which stars Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz, in London to deal with the tragic news.
The Top Gun filmmaker, 68, jumped to his death from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles. His body was recovered several hours later by divers.
Ridley will soon be in LA where he is expected to comfort his sister-in-law Donna Wilson Scott, and his twin nephews, it is understood.
According to unconfirmed reports Tony Scott was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer before his death. -
Universal coaxes Jim Carrey for a role in Kick-Ass 2
MUMBAI: Universal Pictures has courted Jim Carrey to play a role in Kick-Ass 2. The 50-year-old actor will play Colonel Stars, a military-themed superhero who founds Justice Forever, a team consisting of heroes fighting crimes, says a report.
The actor, who is said to be a fan of the action fantasy film, has however not signed any deal in this regard, the report added.
Set to be a follow-up to the Matthew Vaughn-directed film, the sequel has Jeff Wadlow as the director. The film will bring back Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz and Nicolas Cage.
Carrey‘s last big screen outing was in Mr Popper‘s Penguins, made last year. He will next be seen in Burt Wonderstone that will also star Steve Carell. -
Latest pirates film expected to gross ?60 mn
MUMBAI: The fifth instalment of Johnny Depp’s Pirates Of The Caribbean is expected to make a turnover of ?60 million.
And to enable his star worth remain the same, the 49-year-old is said to be choosing his roles carefully.
Depp was recently spotted hanging around with his friends for the first time since he broke up with Paradis, his girl friend. -
DreamWorks Animation inks distribution deal with Twentieth Century Fox
MUMBAI: American animation studio DreamWorks Animation has entered into a new five-year distribution agreement with Twentieth Century Fox.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will assume certain marketing and distribution responsibilities in both domestic and international markets for all animated feature films produced by DreamWorks Animation for release in 2013 through 2017.
Fox will receive a distribution fee on worldwide theatrical and home video gross receipts as well as on international television, and on certain digital businesses, including rentals, SVOD and EST.
DreamWorks Animation will retain the rights to distribute its product in the domestic television windows without paying a fee to Fox.
“Fox has long been an industry leader in both theatrical and home video thanks in large part to its well-integrated approach to distribution across a wide range of platforms around the globe,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
“Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman have built a world-class distribution team and we are excited to apply their expertise, robust infrastructure and global resources so that DreamWorks Animation‘s films can reach their fullest possible potential over the next five years.”
“DreamWorks Animation is a great company that makes terrific films and everyone here feels privileged and honored to have been chosen to distribute their marvelous work throughout the world,” stated Fox Filmed Entertainment CEOs and chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman.
“We are particularly excited to add DreamWorks Animation‘s films to the strong and growing slate of movies from our outstanding Blue Sky Studios division, which is coming off another global blockbuster with Ice Age: Continental Drift, and has EPIC and RIO 2 in advanced production. Together we will be a dominant force in animated entertainment for years to come.”
“Starting in 2013, DreamWorks Animation content will be distributed in the more traditional markets under a fee structure that is similar to our existing arrangement with our current distributor,” continued Katzenberg.
“However, our new agreement with Fox presents more favorable economics overall for DreamWorks Animation because we are taking advantage of lower costs associated with the emerging digital distribution landscape and managing domestic television distribution in-house.”