Some new developments behind the Godzilla-sized legal battle over the giant green monster.
Producers Roy Lee, Dan Lin and Doug Davison today launched their own lawsuit in the escalating legal war over the Godzilla reboot, Deadline reports.
The duo filed a suit against Legendary Pictures in LA Superior Court on Thursday, with the cross complaint alleging breach of contract among other counts. The latest legal action also names fellow Godzilla producer and Legendary President/CCO Jon Jashni as a defendant. Legendary’s Chairman and CEO Thomas Tull was not named in the suit.
Today’s action comes in response to Legendary’s suit earlier this month to have Lee and Lin and fellow producer Davison removed from the movie with a $25,000 payout. Legendary alleges that the producers did not contribute much of note to Godzilla’s pre-production and that their services are no longer required. The company says the trio are only entitled to the $25,000 based on a March 2011 Producer Loan Agreement between them and the company.
Lee, Lin and Davison disagree. Which is why Legendary, in their January 9th filing, also sought to have the courts order arbitration to halt any potential temporary restraining order against the film’s production that the company claims the producers threatened to launch if they weren’t more fully compensated.
The new Godzilla, to be directed by Gareth Edwards, is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros and Legendary on May 16 2014.