Harry Shearer, who played Derek Smalls in the 1984 classic “This is Spinal Tap,” is going after the big bottom line of the fake documentary’s owner, seeking $125 million in a breach-of-contract suit.

Harry Shearer in 2009. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Harry Shearer in 2009. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
“The complaint filed Monday in California federal court is packed with enough nuggets to instantly make this a must-watch ‘Hollywood Accounting’ case,” said the Hollywood Reporter. “Through the lawsuit, Shearer also reveals he is attempting to grab back rights to the film and its continually popular soundtrack.”

Shearer’s company Century of Progress Productions alleges that the four lead creatives have received just $81 in merchandising income and $98 in musical sales income in the past three decades from the franchise, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Federal suit by Harry Shearer's Century of Progress Productions against Vivendi over "This is Spinal Tap."
Federal suit by Harry Shearer’s Century of Progress Productions against Vivendi over “This is Spinal Tap.” (PDF)
The site said Shearer’s company in 2013 commissioned a study of accounting statements and revenue streams and “then first discovered that Vivendi had engaged in a pattern of anti-competitive and unfair business practices, had abandoned enforcement of valuable TIST rights, and had willfully concealed and manipulated years of accountings to retain monies due and owing to Plaintiff.”

Vivendi has yet to respond to the complaint.

Shearer also seeks support in the court of public opinion:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *