News | Entertainment
20 Apr 2024 14:15
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Harry Shearer has reunited with the co-creators of 'This Is Spinal Tap' to sue entertainment group Vivendi for £320 million

    The 73-year-old actor launched legal action against the mass media conglomerate for creating a "fraudulent campaign" to hide revenue and deny profits from the cult 1984 musical comedy film back in October, and after enlisting Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner to join him the law suit, the damages request has been upped by a staggering £195 million, The Guardian newspaper reports.


    On his former colleagues joining him in the on-going legal battle, the 'Simpson's voice actor said: "Their participation will help demonstrate the opaque and misleading conduct at the heart of this case. We're even louder now."

    Guest branded Vivendi's actions "outrageous" and has vowed to challenge them until the very end.

    He said: "The deliberate obfuscation by Vivendi and its subsidiaries is an outrage. It is vital that such behavior is challenged in the strongest way possible."

    And McKean has called for a "reckoning" as he agrees they were not given the right amount of profits for their hard work.

    He said: "'This Is Spinal Tap' was the result of four very stubborn guys working very hard to create something new under the sun. The movie's influence on the last three decades of film comedy is something we are very proud of. But the buck always stopped somewhere short of Rob, Harry, Chris and myself. It's time for a reckoning. It's only right."

    While Reiner says Vivendi need to be "exposed" and made reference to a line in the movie, "up to 11", referring to the amplifier on guitarist Nigel Tufnel's guitar, but stating that he hopes the "lawsuit goes to 11".

    He added: "Fair reward for artistic endeavor has long been raised by those on the wrong end of the equation.

    "What makes this case so egregious is the prolonged and deliberate concealment of profit and the purposeful manipulation of revenue allocation between various Vivendi subsidiaries - to the detriment of the creative talent behind the band and film. Such anti-competitive practices need to be exposed. I am hoping this lawsuit goes to 11."

    Shearer previously claimed Vivendi - who acquired the film in 1989 - reported a total merchandising income of just $81 (£66) for the 22 years between 1984 and 2006, and that total income from music sales was a mere $98 (£79).

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     20 Apr: Kanye West is being investigated for battery after allegedly punching a man who "battered and sexually assaulted" his wife
     20 Apr: Blake Shelton admits being a stepfather has changed him "in every possible way"
     20 Apr: Macaulay Culkin was originally cast in Eminem's 'Stan' video
     20 Apr: Ashanti is pregnant
     20 Apr: Emma Heming Willis has insisted there is "so much to be grateful for" despite her husband Bruce Willis' health battle
     20 Apr: Rihanna would love to swap places with her children for the day
     20 Apr: Tom Payne and Jennifer Akerman have "unexpectedly" welcomed twins
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Highlanders are keen to head home after a humbling two-match trip across the Tasman More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Demand for pet-friendly rentals are likely to rise with new changes to rental bonds More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kanye West is being investigated for battery after allegedly punching a man who "battered and sexually assaulted" his wife 14:10

    Law and Order:
    Police are appealing for information following a ram raid in Haumoana overnight 14:07

    Business:
    Demand for pet-friendly rentals are likely to rise with new changes to rental bonds 13:57

    Netball:
    Central Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon is taking a realistic approach to following up her breakout year on the netball court 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Blake Shelton admits being a stepfather has changed him "in every possible way" 13:40

    Entertainment:
    Macaulay Culkin was originally cast in Eminem's 'Stan' video 13:10

    Law and Order:
    Man rushed to hospital after setting himself on fire outside court where Donald Trump is on trial 13:07

    Motoring:
    Aussie racing driver Cameron Waters has pipped the Kiwis to pole position for the first race of the weekend at the Taupo Supercars 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Ashanti is pregnant 12:40

    Environment:
    Heavy rain's expected across the top of the North Island today 12:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd