The Walking Dead producers are suing AMC Networks after a July 2021 settlement in which original series developer and showrunner Frank Darabont, who was let go from the series after the first season, received a settlement for $200 million and future royalty payments. The producers are filing for $200 million as well in the new suit, alleging they deserve a similar payout.
The Walking Dead is based on the comics of the same name, with a story by Robert Kirkman and art by Tony More and Charlie Adlard. It is a post-apocalyptic story about the remnants of humanity trying to survive amidst a zombie apocalypse. Darabont developed the series for television and stayed on for its inaugural season before being fired. The reasoning behind his firing was allegedly due to budget cuts, but his firing led Darabont to file a breach of contract suit against AMC in 2013. It was finally settled in July of last year for the aforementioned sum.
According to Variety, Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Charles Eglee, and Glenn Mazzara are arguing that the Darabont settlement entitles them to similar treatment. “Plaintiffs were forced to file this lawsuit as a result of AMC's two-faced treatment of their right to participate in the historic success of The Walking Dead," reads their statement. "On the one hand AMC tells them they are entitled to nothing based on erroneous pre-trial rulings which are subject to appeal, while AMC paid $200 million to Frank Darabont and CAA to avoid a New York jury’s review of the exact same contingent compensation definition. Instead of giving Plaintiffs the benefit of the Darabont settlement as required by the express terms of their contracts, AMC's creative activity these days seems limited to figuring out new ways to mistreat the talent that is responsible for its now past success.”
AMC Networks responded with words from their own attorney, Orin Snyder. “Robert Kirkman, David Alpert and the rest of these plaintiffs have had their biggest claims against AMC Networks thrown out of court twice, so now they are back with another lawsuit," reads the statement. "And another lawsuit means another attempt to rewrite their agreements and extract even more than the millions they have already been paid, and will be paid in the future, for their profit participation in The Walking Dead. This is just another crass money grab. We are confident it will fail, as their previous attempts have failed.”
The legal battle appears to just be beginning. Though The Walking Dead is ending soon, the battle over royalties and the suit itself will likely take years. Darabont's own suit took about 8 years to be settled.
At its height, The Walking Dead was considered one of the best post-apocalyptic media out there. Numerous spin-offs have been developed, and AMC has profited greatly from the franchise. It remains to be seen who will triumph in this case.
The Walking Dead series finale airs this Sunday.
Source: Variety