Gibson, sued by 'Passion of the Christ' collaborator
LOS ANGELES (AP) -April 3, 2008 Benedict Fitzgerald claimed in his February lawsuit that Gibson
misled him into accepting a small payment for writing the script by
saying the movie would cost between $4 million and $7 million.
Fitzgerald, who shared screenwriting credits with Gibson,
claimed he agreed to "a salary substantially less than what he
would have taken had he known the true budget for the film," which
the lawsuit claimed was $25 million to $50 million. The lawsuit
claims fraud, breach of contract and unjust enrichment, and seeks
unspecified damages.
In court filings Tuesday, attorneys for Gibson and his
production company asked the court to seal the movie's financial
records and only allow Fitzgerald's lawyers access to them. The
information details the movie's domestic and foreign box office
receipts, production costs and distribution expenses.
The defense is also seeking to dismiss some of Fitzgerald's
claims, including fraud, which if proven would allow Fitzgerald to
seek punitive damages.
