SHORT TAKES : 2 Sue for Piece of ‘Turtle’ Pie
The director and a co-producer of the movie “Teen-Age Mutant Ninja Turtles” filed a $5-million suit alleging they have not been paid their fair share of profits from the hit film.
Director Steve Barron and producer Simon Fields claim they were guaranteed 10% of net profits plus salary in an agreement they signed with distributor Golden Harvest Films Inc. in January, 1989.
The movie, featuring crime-busting turtles who live in a sewer, has grossed nearly $140 million in the United States.
In their suit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Barron and Simon allege that they were fired from the film crew without explanation in November.
The movie was about $4 million over budget at the time. But budget increases had been authorized by Golden Harvest and its chief executive officer, David Chow, the suit contends.
The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages. Officials with Golden Harvest could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
Barron received credit for directing the film. Fields shared production credits with Chow and Kim Dawson.
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