Adrien Brody says he had ‘no alternative’ but to sue film producers

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Adrien Brody has a bone to pick with the makers of a 2009 crime thriller starring the actor -- he’s successfully blocked two production companies from using his image to promote the film because they haven’t paid him for services rendered.

Hannibal Pictures and the UK’s Giallo Productions Ltd. produced the film ‘Giallo,’ in which Brody plays a police detective tracking women abducted from unlicensed cabs. After failing to pay Brody a reported $640,000 gap in his fees, the companies have proceeded in the theatrical and DVD release of the movie.

An American judge has prohibited the DVD sale of ‘Giallo’ in the U.S. from using Brody’s image and likeness.

‘I am greatly appreciative of the court’s ruling which protects me and shows support for all artists who have been manipulated and taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers. At no point did I ever wish to be involved in a legal dispute, but after well over a year of attempting to resolve this matter I was left with no other alternative,’ Brody said in a statement to the Associated Press.

The injunction stands, but a $2-million suit against the companies remains. In the suit, Brody claims the producers misrepresented the value of ‘Giallo’s’ distribution rights and overall production budget.

[For the record: A previous version of this post incorrectly listed Brody’s reported unpaid fees as $64,000.]

-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

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