'The British Patient' Producer Saul Zaentz Sues Disney, Miramax for $20 Million (Exclusive)

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images The Saul Zaentz Co., producer from the 1996 best picture champion The British Patient, has prosecuted distributor Miramax and it is former owner the Wally Disney Co. for $20 million in profits in the hit drama. The suit, filed Thursday in La Superior Court, alleges a years-lengthy plan among Miramax, then run by Harvey Weinstein, and it is former owner Disney to cover revenue, incorrectly allocate and subtract expenses and costs and participate in self-dealing regarding the film. British Patient made a lot more than $300 million worldwide, additionally to sweeping the Oscars in 1996. "Even today, regardless of the positive results from the film, [Zaentz] hasn't even received from Miramax payment sufficient to recoup [Zaentz's] costs of creating The British Patient," the suit alleges. It states Miramax has stored hundreds of huge amount of money which was supposed to visit Zaentz. This isn't the very first time Zaentz has prosecuted within the film. The dispute continues to be happening for any decade, and Zaentz prosecuted in 2006, making similar arguments according to an audit from the film's books and records. But that situation was ignored in 2008 and also the new suit states the parties have experienced a tolling agreement (to avoid statute of restrictions issues) in position. The suit alleges a conspiracy "to help keep the image inside a paper loss position to ensure that regardless of how much cash The Engligh Patient gained, Miramax and Disney would reap all the profits while" Zaentz would not be part of the success. Zaentz states his company ponied up $15.75 million in the own money and deferred compensation to find the film made and also got assurances from Miramax it would obtain a better profits definition than the usual standard deal. The offer allegedly gave Zaentz 10% of modified gross receipts, which rose to fifteenPercent after break-even, plus 60% of internet profits. However, Zaentz states Miramax later attempted to keep his company to some a smaller amount favorable profits definition and it has been reluctant to create credits. Disney offered Miramax this year to several traders including businessman Ron Tutor and Colony Capital. Weinstein had left the organization years before to begin the Weinstein Co. The suit, filed by Marty Singer at Lavely & Singer, alleges reasons for action including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and seeks an accounting and declaratory relief. We've arrived at to Disney for comment. Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com