As fans of the long-running series will know, Frank Darabont was heavily involved with The Walking Dead for two seasons and was likely one of the main reasons why the show was picked up by AMC.
Having worked on the likes of The Shawshank Redemption and written spec scripts for Steven Spielberg, Darabont's involvement was seen a coup for the fledgling show and his involvement was heavily touted in press releases and marketing materials. Fast forward to the middle of the second season and Darabont's fired by AMC.
Thus began what will likely go down as one of the largest showbiz trials in recent history. As reported by THR, the basic allegations and crux of Darabont's case is that AMC robbed him of "contigent" profits from the show by producing it and then licencing it to its cable network affiliate for less money that it could have made.
Moreover, Darabont alleges that AMC reduced his profit share in the second season, as he was fired mid-season. He contends that he was fully involved in all episodes of the second season and should have been counted as fully vested in it. AMC argues that he had to be working full-time on the show in the second season in order for that to happen.
According to his contract, Darabont is entitled to as much 10% of profits after certain deductions. As he's seeking $280 million, this would then mean that the show is making billions for AMC - which, in all likelihood, it probably is. The Walking Dead is now in its seventh season and is seen in 133 countries in over twenty-two languages and already has a spin-off, Fear The Walking Dead, in production.
AMC have said that they will "vigorously defend against this lawsuit" and Darabont's claims have "no basis in reality." Unless a settlement is reached between the two parties soon, the case is expected to go to trial some time in 2018 and, should Darabont win the full amount he's suing for, it'll likely be one of the biggest payouts in a TV profits case.
Via THR
