I don't know of any filmmaker in their right mind who would hire this actor after the sort of stint he's pulling off. Is
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sinnerofcinema — 20 years ago(March 26, 2006 03:32 AM)
He claims the producers deceived him by telling him he was joining a low budget movie that was not going to make any money. That why he claimed he cut his fee, and worked for only a minimal salary. Unless he just started in the business yesterday, I don't understand how a grown man who'd been in the business so long would think that way. Here is the info below
here are the details from cbsnews.com
(AP) Randy Quaid, who plays a tough sheep rancher in "Brokeback Mountain," claims he was fleeced for his work in the movie.
Quaid filed a lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging producers got him to work cheap by falsely claiming "Brokeback" was "a low-budget, art-house film, with no prospect of making any money."
"2000Yet from day one, defendants fully intended that the film would not be made on a low budget, would be given a worldwide release, and would be supported as the studio picture it always was secretly intended to be," the lawsuit says.
Quaid agreed to waive his usual seven-figure fee and share of gross profits in favor of a much smaller payment, the lawsuit claims, although it doesn't say how much he was paid.
The 55-year-old actor was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 1973's "The Last Detail." He played Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager, in the TV movie "Elvis."
The lawsuit alleges intentional and negligent misrepresentation and seeks at least $10 million in damages. It names Focus Features LLC, Del Mar Productions LLC, which was formed by Focus to make the movie, and producers David Linde and James Schamus.
Focus is the specialty movie arm of Universal Pictures. Linde and Schamus were co-presidents of Focus when the film was made. Linde was recently promoted to co-chairman of Universal Pictures.
Focus Features does not comment on pending litigation, spokeswoman Adriene Bowles said Friday.
The lawsuit contends that industry guilds define a low-budget film as having a budget of $500,000 to $7 million, but the budget for "Brokeback" was about $15 million.
Bowles said the budget was $13.9 million.
The average cost of making a studio picture last year was $60 million, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.
"Brokeback Mountain," which won Oscars for best director, original score and adapted screenplay, has grossed more than $82 million in North America. -
sinnerofcinema — 20 years ago(March 26, 2006 09:16 AM)
I call it how I see it. It's not wether I go with Brokeback or Randy. It is as he so many place the reason for his lawsuitthe principle.
I, for one, plan to do my part about this. And that's more than just exchanging opinion over the internet because I find myself always packaging talent and this is not the kind of talent I would ever consider packaging with any film may it be studio or independent. This site is full of filmmakers reading at all hours of the day and night. Filmmakers, first and foremost, value their film and relationships with their actors over this sort of back stabbing. I know what Ang Lee might have meant, and I certainly know what Randy Quaid is doing. Any filmmaker reading this will certainly understand what I'm talking about. This situation he has created, over public opinion, is what in the long run will hurt this actor. What he should have done is too late. What I would have done is make use of the opportunity to make sure my next film I'm paid the 10 million I think I'm worth or the million or two asking price. Obviously, he has greatly affected his future opportunity to work. And I'm not saying this lightly. I, for one, will always value the opportunity to do my film over what some actor demandsalways. If I would have been presented with this guy and his salary problem, I would have instantly sent him on his way. I personally know celebrities who would have donated their time in hopes o reaping all the benefits being associated with "Brokeback Mountain". Everything from asking for more money for the next job, to hiring a good public relations person to enhance my image as this picture was taking off. Personally, it being such a low budget, I would have used one non-name performer to fill his role. But that's obviously not the case now. Randy Quaid did not make or brake this movie. And as other users mentioned, any actor would have been more than happy to have done what he did SAG scale. But he will not be judged only in the court of public opinionworst! I'd like to see what independent filmmaker,who has financed their film independently and has an output deal with a mini major or worst is distributing their film with a truly independent distribution studio and who has half a brain and a good head on his/her shoulder,will sign this guy to their little art house project with the prequisite that is does not become succesful commercially. I'm hoping my filmmaker friends on imdb read and hear about this before ever considering this actor. -
shadycady — 20 years ago(March 26, 2006 10:07 AM)
We also need to see more facts brought from of the lawsuit before making any judgments. I am not saying that I agree with him suing for $10 million either-that seems a bit excessive. We will probably see this case on Court TV.
Age ain't nothing but a number. -
rhyandanea13 — 20 years ago(March 26, 2006 10:53 AM)
I think Randy Quaid is being a total ASS! It's not like the man doesn't already have millions! God, celebrities are so freaking shallow! What the hell does it matter if you're making a couple million more? YOU ALREADY MAKE TOO MUCH DAMN MONEY!! And why's he complain5b4ing? I would have been thrilled to be in Brokeback. It was such a work of art. If a movie is that good and that original, isn't being in a movie like that more important than money? Randy, you are a selfish ass!