Variety is reporting that New Line is getting sued again over Lord of the Rings profits, this time by a group of Kiwi actors. The actors feel that some questionable accounting has made it impossible to ever get paid a “5 percent of net revenue” clause outlined in contracts from merchandising based on characters they portrayed. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday.
This sounds similar to the contentions of Peter Jackson that New Line is participating in unfair accounting practices that keep talent from getting paid. Jackson and New Line are famously litigating over money on that front, although a New Line official said last week at the Cannes film festival that he thinks it will be settled. Lots of news stories are circulating that New Line’s new fantasy film “The Golden Compass” is being marketed as LOTR IV.
Those filing the lawsuit aren’t Hollywood stars but the names will be familiar to TORnados: Noel Appleby, Jed Brophy, Mark Ferguson, Ray Henwood, Bruce Hopkins, William Johnson, Nathaniel Lees, Sarah McLeod, Ian Mune, Paul Norell, Craig Parker, Robert Pollock, Martyn Sanderson, Peter Tait and Stephan Ure.
The full Variety story can be found right here.
Casting is now complete for the upcoming London revival of David Storey’s 1969 drama In Celebration, which will star screen actor Orlando Bloom. Joining the previously announced Bloom (as Steven), Lynda Baron (Mrs. Burnett), Gareth Farr (Colin), Paul Hilton (Andrew) and Ciaran McIntyre (Reardon) will be Tim Healy (as Mr. Shaw) and Dearbhla Molloy (as Mrs. Shaw). Anna Mackmin will direct the production, which begins previews July 5 at the Duke of York’s Theatre with an official opening July 12. Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, the play is currently booking until Sept. 15. [
The Royal Shakespeare Company productions of King Lear and The Seagull — both starring Ian McKellen and directed by Trevor Nunn — will arrive at the West End’s New London Theatre Nov. 12. News of the transfer comes just before the delayed press performance of McKellen’s Lear, which will be shown to the critics as a matinee, followed by an evening performance of The Seagull, in which McKellen plays Sorin. The Shakespeare and Chekhov plays will run in repertory at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Courtyard Theatre until June 23. The RSC made the decision to postpone the original April 3 press night of King Lear after Frances Barber, who plays Goneril, sustained a knee injury in a bicycle accident. [