Former ‘The Walking Dead’ Showrunner, Frank Darabont Suing AMC over Show’s Profits
Who doesn't know Frank Darabont? He was the former showrunner of "The Walking Dead," but was fired in the middle of season 2. The split was rather ugly. He was replaced by Glen Mazzara who replaced Scott Gimple (current showrunner). Recent years saw Frank talking about how badly AMC treated him, crew and the cast.
According to Deadline, Frank is ready to get even by suing AMC for profits from "The Walking Dead," "Talking Dead," and a proposed spin-off by Robert Kirkman slated to air on AMC in 2015.
On December 17, Frank filed the lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court. The law suit stated that he hasn't received the compensation which he deserved as profit participant.
Also, Frank and his agency, CAA have charged AMC of "self dealing" by determining an "unrealistically low licensing fee" for "The Walking Dead." Hence, Frank was not paid even after being a profit participant. He is asking for "monetary damages" to be ascertained by a jury trial.
Deadline reported that Frank's case might not go into trial. The website stated that there have been numerous "self-dealing" cases in the mid-'90s and all of them were settled out of court. AMC has not commented on Frank's decision to go to court for settlement.
The lawsuit also accuses AMC for the wrongful termination of Frank during the production of season 2.
"AMC fired Darabont without cause shortly before Season 2 aired precisely in order to avoid its contractual obligations to pay him increased Profits (which vested fully at the conclusion of Season 2) and to avoid its obligation to negotiate to hire him as showrunner for Season 3," read the suit.
Frank and CAA mention that "when asked for an explanation of this action, AMC was unable or unwilling to give any specific reasons for Darabont's abrupt termination. AMC could not explain why Darabont was not given any notice, warning, or opportunity to cure any perceived problems."