Mel sues over Passion profits
2004-06-09 07:44
Los Angeles - Mel Gibson's film distribution company is suing Regal Entertainment Group for $40m, claiming the movie chain shortchanged the company on revenues from The Passion of the Christ.
Regal, the nation's largest movie chain, agreed to pay Gibson's Icon Distribution 55% of receipts but reneged in May and offered only 34%, George Hedges, an attorney for Icon, said on Tuesday.
Icon filed the lawsuit on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, saying Regal owed the company "in excess" of $40m.
An executive at Regal Entertainment - formed in 2001 by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz from debt-loaded chains Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatre and Edwards Theatres - would not discuss the lawsuit.
"We do not comment on our business practices with the studios," said Regal spokesperson Dick Westerling.
The Passion of the Christ is No 7 on the all-time US box-office charts after taking in $369.9m.
- AP