A four million dollar lawsuit was filed on October 26 at the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael, California against LucasFilm, Ltd. ("Lucas")by two prominent Los Angeles attorneys on behalf of author Campbell Black. A hearing for this case is set for March 15, 2005 in Marin County court. (Case #CV044725)
(PRWEB) December 11, 2004 -- A four million dollar lawsuit was filed on October 26 at the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael, California against LucasFilm, Ltd. ("Lucas")by two prominent Los Angeles attorneys on behalf of author Campbell Black. A hearing for this case is set for March 15, 2005 in Marin County court. (Case #CV044725).
The lawsuit alleges the filmmaker failed to pay Mr. Black royalties or provide a disclosure of earnings, an accounting, or any statements for a period in excess of 20 years since the inception of the worldwide best selling novelization of the film for which Mr. Black was commissioned.
Sources indicate Mr. Black, who now resides in Ireland, has retained the law offices of David Abrams (Encino, California) and Morris Getzels (Beverly Hills, California).
According to Mr. Abrams: Initially I would like to believe this dispute originated because of sloppy bookkeeping and a lack of administrative organization within Lucasfilm. However, further review of the facts reveal when errors and discrepancies were brought to Mr. Lucas attention, instead of an apology and provision of a full accounting of earnings, LucasFilm stood steadfast and refused without explanation to give Mr. Black any information. Clearly LucasFilm believes they are too important to deal with one single author in a fair and fiduciary manner. Before filing suit every effort was provided to Mr. Lucas to settle this amicably. Mr. Black had no choice other than to file this suit".
Mr. Black was commissioned by Lucas to write the novelization based on the phenomenal success of the 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. The book became an immediate international bestseller for years, and a collectors item among Indiana Jones fans, and enjoyed numerous reprints as well as being a Book of the Month Club selection in several countries.
The LucasFilms Ltd. contract with the author stipulates that Lucas would communicate directly with all publishers and have total control over all information regarding sales of the book. As the sole source of information concerning both sales figures and royalty statements, Mr. Lucas and his company have never given Mr. Black a full and accurate accounting of monies due.
Campbell Black also co-wrote the novelization of the feature film, Dressed to Kill, with Brian De Palma and later wrote a series of international #1 bestselling books under his other pseudonym, Campbell Armstrong, such as the political thriller JIG and most recently the highly acclaimed memoir entitled All That Really Matters, the story of his late ex-wifes courageous battle with cancer and her miraculous reunion before her untimely death with her long lost daughter she was forced to give up for adoption as unwed teenager.
The Scottish born author has lived in Ireland for the past 13 years with his family and is currently working on a new novel.
George Lucas is a world famous filmmaker and creative force in the industry who is responsible for numerous blockbuster movies and technological advances in the filmmaking process.
In 1981, he created the classic adventurer INDIANA JONES, star of three classic box-office hits as well as a television series, THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES, which won 12 Emmy Awards.
Lucasfilm also includes LucasArts, a leading developer of home computer and console-based entertainment, and Lucas Licensing which have expanded the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES brands into best-selling novels, toys and merchandise.
George Lucas has been selected by the American Film Institute's (AFI) Board of Trustees to receive the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film, as announced by Sir Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. The award will be presented to Lucas at a gala tribute in Los Angeles in June 2005.
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