Noted director Woody Allen slaps Amazon with $68 million lawsuit
What's the story
Woody Allen, the acclaimed but recently disgraced writer-director, filed a suit against Amazon Studios on Thursday, February 7, in the New York Federal Court. The $68 million (Rs. 484 crore) lawsuit alleges Amazon tried to cancel their movie deal with Allen without either a factual or legal basis. It thus caused substantial damage to Allen and his production company, Gravier. Here's all about it.
Deal
Amazon-Allen deal sought to increase company's foothold in Hollywood entertainment
The lawsuit alleged that "Seeking to capitalize on Mr. Allen's international stature, talent, and track record, Amazon—a technology giant but Hollywood novice—sought to develop its nascent entertainment studio by entering into a series of deals with Mr. Allen and his company, Gravier, promising to finance and distribute his future films and to be his "home" for the rest of his career".
Reneging
Amazon knew its canceling would cause damage to all: Lawsuit
Despite the contract, Amazon reneged on its promise and in June 2018, the company 'backed out of the deals, purporting to terminate them without any legal basis for doing so, while knowing that its actions would cause substantial damage to Mr. Allen, Gravier, investors and the artists and crew involved in making the films'. Allen stood to make tons of money from said agreements.
Do you know?
How much was Allen going to make from Amazon contracts?
Allen and his company Gravier stood to make an enormous sum of money, that would amount between $68 million (Rs. 484 crore) and $73 million (Rs. 520 crore) from the deal that he had previously struck with Amazon.
Accusation
However, since accusations against Allen resurfaced, Amazon got cold feet
Allen has criticized Amazon's unwillingness to release his movies due to a 25-year-old "baseless allegation" against him. For those unaware, the allegation was that Allen sexually assaulted his daughter Dylan Farrow when she was a child. However, Allen's suit claims that the "allegation was already well known to Amazon (and the public) before Amazon entered into four separate deals with Mr. Allen".
Partnership
Amazon-Allen's partnership began in 2016, when allegations against director resurfaced
Amazon-Allen's partnership began in 2016 around the time #MeToo brought back focus on Allen's alleged sexual misconduct. Thus, Wonder Wheel, the first film of the partnership had difficulty finding distributors, flopping upon release. A Rainy Day in New York faced criticism for a controversial sex scene between an older man and underage girl. This prompted Amazon to shelve it and try exiting the deal.
Opinion
Allen might have legal grounds, but is losing moral battle
With stars distancing themselves from Allen's projects, the director's name has taken a hit post #MeToo. While his current lawsuit might have legal grounds for recompense, Allen is ironically suffering a greater moral and ethical defeat. He has just proven to the industry that he has become so toxic that Amazon would rather shell out millions of dollars than release his movies.