Randy Quaid Sues Over 'Brokeback'

TMZ.com ^ | 3-23-06

[veronica]

Actor claims producers defrauded him

(Mar. 23) -- Randy Quaid has filed a lawsuit claiming he was done in by producers of 'Brokeback Mountain.'

TMZ obtained a copy of the lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming producers falsely represented the movie to him as \"a low-budget, art house film, with no prospect of making any money.\" Qauid claims the representations were a ruse from the beginning. 'Brokeback' has grossed around $160 million.

Quaid's suit claims that in 2004, he met with director Ang Lee, who offered him the role of Joe Aguirre. The suit alleges that Lee told Quaid: "We can't pay anything, we have very little money, everyone is making a sacrifice to make this film."

The suit does not specifically state how much Quaid made, but it does claim that the defendants "were engaged in a 'movie laundering' scheme designed to obtain the services of talent such as Randy Quaid on economically unfavorable art film terms..."

The suit asks for $10 million in damages as well as punitive damages. It also seeks "restitution for all ill-gotten gains."

[Publius6961]

So much for his apparent IQ...

[Miss Marple]

Well, this is interesting!

[neodad]

Cat Fight! Pass the popcorn.

[billorites]

[Capagrl]

Holy crap. Wonder if he'll be suing Wall Street next because he failed to buy in and get out before the dot coms went bust?!

Talk about taking zero personal responsibility. Why can't he just kick his own ass like the rest of us do when we miss an opportunity?

[Wolfie]

Yep, because people are so desperate to have Randy Quaid in their films that they'll engage in fraud. Puh-leeze.

[The Duke]

What, he just did it for the sex scenes(?)

[Dane]

Qauid claims the representations were a ruse from the beginning. 'Brokeback' has grossed around $160 million.

Actually that is the worldwide gross, according to BoxOfficeMojo. BM grossed about 80 million in the US(and falling fast) and probably the rest in Europe and also I wouldn't doubt that much of that gross was of homosexual advocates buying multiple tickets.

[redlenses]

This would have been a great chance for Randy to explore the "Cousin Eddie" character from the National Lampooon "Vacation" series. He already knew some appropriate lines:

"Make sure you get the gerbils and the rubber sheets!"

"Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!"

"Merry Christmas, Clark! You ready to do some kissin'?"

[veronica]

I think there is probably merit to his case, at least in theory. Often you build a movie by getting actors with recognizable, bankable names to come on first, then entice others to come onboard by using the name you have already gotten to commit. It's a frequently employed gambit. Whether it can be proved in court to have harmed Quaid is another matter.

[Beth528]

I am about to cry it is a sad day when a producer or director gives an actor a snow job..I am joking..I think Quade should be worried about how many people is going to want to see his movies because of this Queer film..It is all about that buck and they could care less how they make it..

[bondjamesbond]

He signed on as Heath Ledger's body double...

[Rebelbase]

Brokeback lawyers will use the "Quaid is a closet homo and did the move on principle" defense.

[Rebelbase]

move=movie

[Red Badger]

I don't think it was about a snow job.........

[commish]

So I guess the Quaid's just wanted to have the complete set. One plays a Pedophile Rock singer and one plays a gay sheepherder.

[johnny7]

Maybe someone will post that shot of him pumping the RV crapper-tank into the storm sewer... says it all.

[DCPatriot]

After seeing Randy Quaid in the movie INDEPENDENCE DAY, I sure as hell don't want to see him on the big screen having carnal relations with another male.

[veronica]

For the record, Quaid plays the local boss-man who refuses to rehire the two gay guys after discovering their relationship.