Wesley Snipes sues New Line over BLADE TRINITY...
04-21-05, 08:45 AM
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Wesley Snipes sues New Line over BLADE TRINITY...
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Posted: Wed., Apr. 20, 2005, 10:00pm PT
Snipes throwing legal blade at 'Trinity' team
Thesp accusing NL, others of contract violation, racism
By JANET SHPRINTZ
Actor Wesley Snipes has sued New Line Cinema, writer-director David Goyer and Toby Emmerich, executive producer of "Blade: Trinity," in a wide-ranging federal lawsuit seeking more than $5 million in damages.
In a suit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Snipes alleges that in violation of his contract, the director, screenplay and supporting cast of "Blade: Trinity" were forced on him. He also claims he's still owed a portion of his fee and that he was harassed and defamed because of his race. New Line declined to comment.
Goyer penned all three "Blade" scripts. According to the complaint, however, Snipes had concerns about him directing the third film in the trilogy and was not informed until six weeks before filming began that Goyer would direct. Similarly, he was not given an opportunity to object to the "juvenile level of humor" in the screenplay and the change in focus from the Blade character to two sidekicks. Snipes claims the real purpose of "Blade III" was to set the stage for spinoffs featuring other cast members.
Snipes blames Goyer for the critical response to the film, citing reviews describing Goyer as a "disastrous choice" and calling the film a "bloody mess." Film, released last December, has grossed $52 million at the domestic box office.
In money terms, Snipes alleges that he is still owed over $3 million on his fee. Furthermore, Snipes claims that because he was employed by a Swiss loan-out company and the movie was filmed in Canada, he should have been exempt from tax liability. But New Line withheld income taxes and failed to cooperate in obtaining a tax indemnity from the Canadian government. Snipes has had well-publicized tax problems in the past.
Snipes also claims that in contrast to the first two "Blade" films, in which efforts were made to select a multiracial cast and crew, defendants intentionally hired only white people, leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion by Snipes.
He also claims that Goyer made racially motivated statements about Snipes being unprofessional and difficult to work with, and that Goyer refused to discipline a crew member who wore a racially discriminatory T-shirt on the set.
Posted: Wed., Apr. 20, 2005, 10:00pm PT
Snipes throwing legal blade at 'Trinity' team
Thesp accusing NL, others of contract violation, racism
By JANET SHPRINTZ
Actor Wesley Snipes has sued New Line Cinema, writer-director David Goyer and Toby Emmerich, executive producer of "Blade: Trinity," in a wide-ranging federal lawsuit seeking more than $5 million in damages.
In a suit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Snipes alleges that in violation of his contract, the director, screenplay and supporting cast of "Blade: Trinity" were forced on him. He also claims he's still owed a portion of his fee and that he was harassed and defamed because of his race. New Line declined to comment.
Goyer penned all three "Blade" scripts. According to the complaint, however, Snipes had concerns about him directing the third film in the trilogy and was not informed until six weeks before filming began that Goyer would direct. Similarly, he was not given an opportunity to object to the "juvenile level of humor" in the screenplay and the change in focus from the Blade character to two sidekicks. Snipes claims the real purpose of "Blade III" was to set the stage for spinoffs featuring other cast members.
Snipes blames Goyer for the critical response to the film, citing reviews describing Goyer as a "disastrous choice" and calling the film a "bloody mess." Film, released last December, has grossed $52 million at the domestic box office.
In money terms, Snipes alleges that he is still owed over $3 million on his fee. Furthermore, Snipes claims that because he was employed by a Swiss loan-out company and the movie was filmed in Canada, he should have been exempt from tax liability. But New Line withheld income taxes and failed to cooperate in obtaining a tax indemnity from the Canadian government. Snipes has had well-publicized tax problems in the past.
Snipes also claims that in contrast to the first two "Blade" films, in which efforts were made to select a multiracial cast and crew, defendants intentionally hired only white people, leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion by Snipes.
He also claims that Goyer made racially motivated statements about Snipes being unprofessional and difficult to work with, and that Goyer refused to discipline a crew member who wore a racially discriminatory T-shirt on the set.
04-21-05, 10:55 AM
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He also claims that Goyer made racially motivated statements about Snipes being unprofessional and difficult to work with, and that Goyer refused to discipline a crew member who wore a racially discriminatory T-shirt on the set.
04-21-05, 11:04 AM
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Well, supposedly the statements about him being hard to work with are absolutely true. I remember when HHH was on Howard Stern talking about his experience on the movie and he recounted how Snipes was a royal pain in the ass.
04-21-05, 11:05 AM
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My theory that Wesley Snipes is the third largest waste of flesh on the planet below Barbara Streisand and Mariah Carey increases in saliency...
04-21-05, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Filmmaker
My theory that Wesley Snipes is the third largest waste of flesh on the planet below Barbara Streisand and Mariah Carey increases in saliency...
04-21-05, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Deftones
Well, supposedly the statements about him being hard to work with are absolutely true. I remember when HHH was on Howard Stern talking about his experience on the movie and he recounted how Snipes was a royal pain in the ass.
04-21-05, 11:29 AM
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Snipes blames Goyer for the critical response to the film, citing reviews describing Goyer as a "disastrous choice" and calling the film a "bloody mess."
04-21-05, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Terrell
Funny you were crying about all this until now.
04-21-05, 11:42 AM
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The stories about Wesley Snipes being difficult to work with is nothing new. There has been stories ever since he made it "big".
I remember reading an article with Charlie Sheen, dissing Wesley for his refusal to appear in Major League II but then again, I think he made the right choice on that one.
In regards to his lawsuit, cry me a river Wesley.
I remember reading an article with Charlie Sheen, dissing Wesley for his refusal to appear in Major League II but then again, I think he made the right choice on that one.
In regards to his lawsuit, cry me a river Wesley.
04-21-05, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Terrell
Grow the hell up Snipes. So the critical reception on your movie was not good. Funny you were crying about all this until now. What an idiot. You've made a number of films that sucked. Ever heard of Demolition Man? You didn't hear Stallone whining about critical reception.
04-21-05, 12:05 PM
#23
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Snipes isn't a high enough level actor to be making this much of a fuss.
That said, he definitely has a point about Goyer. Blade Trinity was one of the most unintentionally hillarious movies I've seen in ages, near-classic status as such in my book.
That said, he definitely has a point about Goyer. Blade Trinity was one of the most unintentionally hillarious movies I've seen in ages, near-classic status as such in my book.
04-21-05, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by RichC2
That said, he definitely has a point about Goyer. Blade Trinity was one of the most unintentionally hillarious movies I've seen in ages, near-classic status as such in my book.
If were Snipes, and I read the script AND saw Parker Posey being cast as a vampire, I would've walked. He hurt himself going after the cash with such a lousy sequel.
Read Jenna Jameson's book for more Snipes ego...
04-21-05, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by scottall
I don't doubt that, but if something like this has any merit, then why wouldn't the writer include it instead of generalizations. It just bothers me.