Rights to the source material – Solomon Northup’s harrowing 1853 memoir of the same name – were originally snapped up by Plan B Entertainment, the production company founded by Brad Pitt, who stars in the film, Jennifer Aniston and Paramount CEO Brad Grey in 2002.
But according to Page Six, Paramount took offense when they were overlooked for a ‘first option deal’ with the Los Angeles based company – who instead took the film to Arnon Milchan’s Regency Enterprises.
Main men: (L-R) Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt and
Steve McQueen have helped turn Solomon Northup's harrowing 1853 memoir
into a Hollywood success
The perceived snub, they say, primed the Paramount legal team to take action against Pitt and his business partner, Dede Gardner, over the film – which was eventually
distributed by Fox Searchlight.
‘Paramount is still upset because Dede didn’t offer 12 Years A Slave to them,’ a source told the publication.
‘They felt she purposefully didn’t give it to them, and then was bad mouthing the studio all over town.’
According to a separate source, it was company CEO Grey’s association with the production house that led to ‘peace talks’ with Plan B.
Key role: Brad Pitt plays a significant role in
McQueen's film, but an argument over distribution rights almost led to a
legal dispute with Paramount Pictures
Tipped for glory: British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor
has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal
of Northup in 12 Years A Slave
‘Paramount’s lawyers wanted to sue,’ added the insider. ‘But Brad Grey stopped it because of his friendship with Pitt, his respect for (Steve) McQueen and out of respect for their movie.’
MailOnline have contacted Pitt's representatives for further comment.
Despite the spat Grey is understood to be developing a sequel to critically lukewarm zombie adaptation World War Z, with J.A Bayona – the Spanish filmmaker responsible for 2012 drama The Impossible – already on board as director.
Meanwhile 12 Years A Slave is nominated for nine Oscars, amongst them Best Picture, Best Director for Steve McQueen and Best Actor In A Leading Role for Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Since its inception production company Plan B has enjoyed consistent success, with Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Kick-Ass, A Mighty Heart and The Tree Of Life amongst some of its biggest critical and commercial hits.
Future projects include The Lost City Of Z – an adaptation of the book based on the disappearance of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who mysteriously vanished in the Amazon while searching for the ruins of an ancient city.
Benedict Cumberbatch has been confirmed to play Fawcett in the forthcoking film, which will be directed by James Gray.
No comments:
Post a Comment