Michael Moore Sues Over Fahrenheit 9/11

Filmmaker says Harvey and Bob Weinstein kept profits from him
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 8, 2011 10:22 AM CST
Michael Moore Sues Over Fahrenheit 9/11
Filmmaker Michael Moore, left, watches Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Company which is releasing Moore's film "Sicko," discuss the Bush administration's investigation into Moore.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Fahrenheit 9/11 cemented Michael Moore’s reputation as a high-profile documentary filmmaker—but he claims he didn’t get enough money for the 2004 movie, and now he’s suing Harvey and Bob Weinstein over it. In the suit, Moore seeks at least $2.7 million and accuses the Weinsteins of using “financial deception” and “bogus accounting methods” to divert money that should have gone to Moore (who, in an unusually generous deal, was to receive 50% of the profits).

The Weinsteins’ lawyer—who notes Moore was paid $19.8 million for the film, which grossed $222 million worldwide—calls the whole thing “rubbish,” the Los Angeles Times reports. But Moore’s attorney notes in a statement that “This is the first time Michael Moore has ever sued anyone in his 20-year career as a filmmaker. That should be some indication about how serious this is.” (More Michael Moore stories.)

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