More Actors Could Get Sued If Their Scandals Hurt A Movie
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Ryan H – Hey John. I saw an article reporting that Kevin Spacey has been ordered to pay the producers of House Of Cards over $30 million dollars because his conduct negatively affected the show. Do you think this will set a precedent for other actors and scandals? I’m thinking specifically about the Ezra Miller situation. If the movie comes out and doesn’t do all that well, can WB sue him for that? What are your thoughts? Thanks.
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It simply IS going to affect The Flash's take, and significantly. Nobody who knows the Ezra situation is going to watch Ezra on screen with the only thought in their mind that it's a good Warner Bros movie. I know that personally for me (and fully aware it doesn't for everyone) this stuff takes me away from a movie and makes it a lot less fun. That might be even to the point audiences like me would rather do something else.
I love Hollywood because someone gropes people on set and still got to work up until Twitter threw a fit.
If I'm missing something or whatever then please correct me. But this does feel a bit weird to me. Now from what I could gather some of this money would be going to the people he was inappropriate with during the show etc. And I have no sympathy for Spacey having to pay those people who he preyed upon in one way, shape, or form.
And fine if in the future you sign a contract saying you can't do certain things when in the future you take a job at really any studio. That's fine, in fact I think it's a great idea, we obviously know people have gotten away with literal criminal behavior. It could make it so that they start acting on their best behavior in fear of getting sued. As long as the language is very clear. We are already getting people fired over jokes or opinions made on Twitter. And I might think it's a drastic thing to do unless what they said had something to do with trying to harm or send people to harass someone else. It is their right to say they no longer want to employ the person because they feel those people's views damages their company. This might be me being a bit paranoid. I just don't want a studio to in 5 years be able to start suing over tweets.
In the case of Ezra, who knows WB might have had something in place so if he hurts the movie they can sue for damages. But are not talking about it, and will wait until the movie comes out and look at how it performs.
But really while I understand that it's a way for studios to in the future have some insurance, especially for movies that cost a fortune.
It's just that my gut instinct would be we all know that the people Ezra terrorized is not gonna see a single cent. And I kind of feel if anyone should be getting compensation first. It's not multi-billion companies who yes do need to make a profit. But even if things had gotten so bad that they had no other choice but to cancel the movie. WB and its shareholders might not be happy but they won't go bankrupt. I think the people who should be looked after first were those that got hurt.
The Kevin Spacey scandal really affected the "House of Cards" show. I was really pissed at the direction the show took and how it ended, especially knowing the fact that they had to change a whole lot because Kevin Spacey was no longer going to be in it.
Ruined the legacy of the show.
Some part of me was like please just let him finish first before talking about it, but that wouldn't have been right. 😏
You will note the wording of the release of Spacey: "He created a toxis work environment". He can create that BECAUSE he is executive producer. Actors dont CREATE the space, the officer holders (execs) do.
John you need to get appropriate legal lines of logic between Executive Producer (Production office holder) versus Actor / employee. Massive Difference and in this instance is because Spacey is Exec Prod hence liable, similar to Alex Baldwin having possible liability on Rust. not because he was the actor.
Your entire discussion around actors liability is irrelevant and totally wrong. his liability is from exec Producer capacity and liability,
"If it's something that hurt people, something that marginalised people" referred to as an acceptable situation that will "not allow you to work again ever". People thinking like that are dangerous. If people are hurt by jokes, they should deal with it and move on.
There is some HEAVILY flawed logic being presented in this episode!!! YOU DO NOT EVER PRECONVICT PPL! Thats kinda the whole point of America. Bad jokes and bad taste happen and obviously Kevin Spacey was wrong but look at the reactions weve all taken, theres no such thing as genuince creation or art anymore due to contracts, the internet and social whatevers!!!
That is not right to do, because people on screen and off screen must be different.
This is a reflection of our society to day! With social media and this insane Eutopia with the illusion that everybody has this picture perfect life all the time. Social Media is poison people!
I guess we'll all have to be perfect humans, saints or robots from now on, because any mistake or just an allegation will destroy your whole life. Can't imagine how people will weaponize this to get money from celebrities now.
Spacey better 🏃♂️
Not sure what John is talking about. Spacey hasn't been convicted of anything yet, he might be in the UK. All the cases in the US have been dropped or dismissed.
As someone with experience with talent contracts… nearly every contract for any legitimate source will include conduct clauses. Often requiring specific codes of conduct during the direct employment parameters, ie: during production, filming, and promoting a film you are beholden to the parent company or production company. They often will go so far as to say you are a member of their company during all official activities, and are beholden to any ToS, ethical requirements, or company policies which govern behavior and expectations there of. It is not surprising that if a company can, they will attempt to recoup perceived losses. Even if House of Cards would have lost viewership at that time or not, if they can prove they lost viewers after Kevin’s scandal, they can definitely sue him. He has no legs to stand on legally as it was already proven in court that he committed misconduct during the production. My two cents.
Wow… This makes me Hella uncomfortable, and sets a seriously dangerous precedent.
Chris is a human piece of trash if she's making jokes about abortion!
🤔
It depends if there is enough proof yeah they should if its merritless like most and i say most of these me too movement cases where there juat isnt enough proof then no!!
this takes away risk of studios picking morally and ethical actors knowing they can just sue if things don’t work out with an actor that’s a risk. this is just protecting companies from making horrible choices
ezra is going through a lot and warner bros should be trying to work with him
very slippery slope
Great use of affect
Look at Harltey Sawyer. He's career is over because of tweets made back over ten years. I feel bad for him. Now anything could happen.
So can Will Smith be sued for slapping Chris Rock because he hurt further projects he was in or star in, but now they have to put them on the back burner because of the slap that heard around the world
Remember, WB put Ezra Miller into two franchises. He was banned from the FB3 premiere for a reason. He also groomed that Native American girl on the set of FB2. Meaning, Ezra Miller should already get sued.
The number of people in this comment section that are trying to argue we give rapists and pedophiles "second chances" is wild. How about we give people that aren't criminals their first chance in this industry instead?
I think there's one aspect of the ruling (based on the Variety quote you read and showed) that was overlooked in you discussion is that KS's actions have directly forced production de be altered majorly (rewriting, creative overhaul, less episodes etc.) and that's a major point I think. That the main thing I think in this "precedent". All the examples you use (like the EM situation) has juste an "image" aspect if could say and if you see what I mean. (sorry English not my language) there is a difference (noticeable one for me) between let's say an actor doing something that's just (by just I mean "only") embarrassing the studio and it's promo in one hand and forcing production (with all the costs etc.) to change course, rewrite, maybe re-shoot stuff etc. on the other hand. Again I have read (nor I'm an expert) the ruling, but I really think that it's because of the latter that HoC won.
I think Kevin Spacey situation is different from Millers because Spacey was already on a successful tv show and he missed the last season, when a new movie is not guaranteed to make a certain amount.
Count me in as "Surprised" this wasn't already a thing from the beginning. Of course this people can get redeemed or given a 2nd opportunity, but you did F* up the first one, you should "pay" for what you have caused..
This is incredibly dangerous if you did something in your past or after you completed your job can get you sued by your former employer is insane.
I think every actor should wear an ankle bracelet while filming a movie and be presumed guilty until proven innocent while when the gets released.
Every person should get a 2nd oppurtunity to redeem themselves..this rule would stop them getting work for whole life..this is a bad rule
What is considered a Scandal?
So these actors arent even getting 2 nd chance to redeem themselves..well done Hollywood
So this Rule and hollywood is trying to make these once scandalous actors would sure Die in poverty
This is a very dangerous precedent to set.
Welp let's welcome everyone back to yet another Episode of "We Need To Talk About Ezra!" 😂
It should cause you have to set rules to keep people to act right on set. It should be if you are found guilty and not something you tweeted out years ago
This is a stupid rule