'Bohemian Rhapsody' screenwriter sues makers over profits; alleges 'accounting gimmicks'

Anthony McCarten, screenwriter of 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that he has t received a penny of net proceeds of movie, reported ANI, citing a report by Variety. 2018 biographical musical drama movie directed by Bryan Singer grossed more than $900 million at global box office. However, screenwriter alleges that he was told film lost $51 million and called himself latest victim of studio accounting. Anthony McCarten is a London-based velist and playwright. He wrote scripts for movies Darkest Hour and ory of Everything.

Bohemian Rhapsody is based on story of band Queen and its frontman, Freddie Mercury. And film production cost about $55 million. But lawsuit by Anthony McCarten disputes that Twentieth Century Fox, distributor and co-producer on film, has used accounting gimmicks to avoid paying, ANI reported, citing Variety.

McCarten sues GK Films

McCarten is suing GK Films, which is production company that developed film. Also, McCarten had signed contract with GK Films for movie. suit alleges that McCarten is owed 5% of film’s net proceeds but that Fox has inappropriately substituted its own definition of that term. According to complaint, company has a reputation for offering lower upfront rates in exchange for a more favourable definition of backend profits, Variety reported. GK Films is an independent company that has financed major films, including Gangs of New York and Hugo.  Producer Graham King leads it.

suit details that McCarten was frustrated with his low fee for writing Bohemian Rhapsody. As per complaint, McCarten expected that GK Films’ definition of net proceeds would resemble film’s actual net proceeds and that he would t be subject to traditional big studio accounting, which erases any apparent profits by tacking on fees.

GK Films allowed Fox to use Fox’s definition of net proceeds, claims McCarten

According to suit, McCarten did receive bonuses based on box office performance of film. But as for net proceeds, he has received two accounting statements from Fox. first, in April 2019, claimed that film had lost $105 million, while second, in July 2021, claimed it had lost only $51 million. As per Variety, McCarten alleges that GK Films let Fox use Fox’s definition of net proceeds but that McCarten has never actually seen that definition or agreed to it.

GK Films joined with Fox in 2016 to co-produce and distribute film, which won four Academy Awards, including best actor for Rami Malek.

Bohemian Rhapsody

movie Bohemian Rhapsody tells story of life of Freddie Mercury, lead singer of British rock musical band Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody was name of one of Queen's famous songs. film received multiple awards and minations. It won four awards at 91st Academy Awards for Best Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

(With ANI Inputs)

Im: Shutterstock/QueenwillRock/Twitter