Mel Gibson trying to cheat Passion of the Christ writer

[moez]

"Passion" Writer -- Mel's Hiding $$$ From Me!

The writer of Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" claims Mel and his people are playing a shell game with him, trying to avoid paying him his just due on the movie.

Benedict Fitzgerald had sued Mel and others, claiming he was lied to when they said the movie would carry a $4-7 million production budget. Fitzgerald says he accepted a low fee after being told the budget was so low.

But during the case, Mel and his peeps produced accounting records, and the true budget was millions more. In fact, Mel's own calculations put the budget at around $30 million.

But Fitzgerald thinks the amount is even higher, and he's now asking the judge to force a more thorough accounting.

Fitzgerald wants what he considers a fair writer's fee based on the true cost of the movie.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/15/passion-writer-mels-hiding-from-me/

[ForrestGump]

1. Wasn't that Luke, or some Old Dead Dude?

Seems to me like maybe the writer signed away his right to get more when he agreed to the lower figure (30 pieces of silver?) -- production costs do, after all, change markedly sometimes. Of course, if they determine beyond doubt that the higher cost was in Mel's mind from the very start, maybe he's got a case. The poor Disciples, though, once again get the short end of the stick.

[Amonester]

2. IMHO, *real* writers should be paid a % of the true *tix sales*

and in that case... it would mean what, ? millions?

on edit: "This is the highest-grossing rated R film in US box office history earning $370 million." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335345/trivia

how much did B.Fitz. get? (for *plagiarism*) it s____d anyway

[Ganja Ninja]

3. Who would Jesus short change? n/t

[JVS]

4. You know what the Bible says about trying to cheat people.

It's against it.

[eShirl]

5. I thought that was standard practice in Hollywood.

[Javaman]

6. boy good old drunken racist mel is having a heck of a week, huh?

first his wife files now the passion dudes are suing.

life's a bitch in the first Vatican lane.

[juno jones]

7. HEHEHEHEHEHEH! n/t

[sarcasmo]

8. Another one of the many Religious Hypocrites.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Mmmm, where's the "Glad you're being sued" schadenfreude card?

One of those below already has a use: