Posted on 06/08/2004 4:16:26 PM PDT by B Knotts
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor/director Mel Gibson (news)'s Icon Distribution Inc. has sued No. 1 movie theater chain Regal Entertainment Group for more than $40 million, claiming Regal failed to pay Icon its fair share of box office receipts for "The Passion of the Christ."
In the suit, filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Icon said its agreement with Regal called for the companies to share receipts on "studio terms," which Icon defined as 55 percent of gross ticket sales paid to it and 45 percent retained by Regal.
Icon claims Regal has reneged on that deal and offered to pay Icon only 34 percent, instead.
"The Passion of the Christ," about the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus, was the biggest movie hit of this past winter and spring. It generated slightly under $370 million in domestic markets -- the United States and Canada.
The suit did not stipulate how much of those receipts came from Regal theaters, but Icon claims it is owed actual damages in excess of $40 million. Icon also seeks punitive damages.
Regal operates over 6,000 movie screens in about 550 theaters around the world. A spokesman was not immediately available to comment.
Regal shares edged down 0.2 percent, or 4 cents, at $17.59 shortly after midday on the New York Stock Exchange.
Privately held Icon was formed in 1990 by Gibson to distribute films made by his Icon Productions film company, of which "The Passion" is one. Privately held Newmarket Films partnered with Icon in distributing the movie to U.S. theaters, but Newmarket is not a party in the lawsuit.
Render unto Mel the things that are Mel’s and unto Regal the things that are Regal’s ...
Guess they thought that Christians cannot fight .... oops
Yep. I remember that, and it crossed my mind immediately when I saw this story. Maybe that's how they cooked the books, but then got caught.
Yup..
FYI: The Regal Entertainment Group is 75% owned by Philip Anschutz, a practicing Christian who will likely appear as the lead in Mel Gibson's next film, Potius Pilate.
If Mel runs for Pope, that guy in the vatican better be afraid...be very afraid.
Has anyone seen any "MEL FOR POPE" yard signs or bumper stickers?
Mel Gibson is more of a traditionalist than the Pope.
Hey! I saw the movie at a Regal theater! They better fork over 55% of my money!
Ya know, I'm not gay...but Mel would look quite yummy in one of those big pointy hats.
But I am not gay...not that there is any thing wrong with that!
But I am not gay...
HEY REGAL...WWJD?
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MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-
http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39081
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Go Mel Go!
Which group of liberals owns Regal Cinemas?
Icon claims Regal has reneged on that deal and offered to pay Icon only 34 percent, instead.
WHAT? All of a sudden, Regal says, "Yeah, we agreed you would get 55%, but we've decided WE should get 64%?" I can't believe that it's this simple. Regal's gotta have a reason for this move, and it better be a doozy.
I've been meaning to tell you for quite awhile that I took your advice and rented "We Were Soldiers". It was a VERY good movie....thanks for recommending it.
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Thank you for seeing Randall Wallace's "WE WERE SOLDIERS" which in the end helped bring us Mel Gibson's ultimate story of Love and Sacrifice...
.."The PASSION of the CHRIST"..
http://www.WeWereSoldiers.com
http://www.ThePassionoftheChrist.com
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