The filmmaker sued the studio over breach of contract.
(Photo: Paramount Pictures)
It's hard out there for a producer.
Filmmaker John Singleton has reached a settlement with movie studio Paramount Pictures over a breach of contract lawsuit stemming from Singleton's film Hustle & Flow.
Singleton and his Crunk Pictures sued the studio in 2011, claiming they are owed over $20 million for a broken contract in which Paramount allegedly agreed to fund two additional pictures in exchange for the rights to Hustle & Flow. The drama, starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, was a breakout hit at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and several studios bid on the rights. Singleton claims he went with Paramount, as opposed to other studios, because of the promise to fund the additional pictures.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hustle & Flow — directed by Craig Brewer and produced by Singleton — was a success in the market, earning $75 million in gross receipts and winning an Oscar for best song. But Singleton says Paramount backed out of the other two films, including one that was to be a Spike Lee-directed concert film featuring Tracy Morgan. Paramount asserted the right to do so because the films allegedly weren't delivered by a certain deadline.
Still, the studio decided to settle the case for an undisclosed amount before going to trial.
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