The ongoing legal drama with AMC over revenues owed to staff for The Walking Dead took a positive turn for the defense. A judge for the case in New York allowing the network to file “supplemental materials” that minimized claims from plaintiffs including Frank Darabont.
This dispute began in 2010 when Darabont was fired from the series shortly after The Walking Dead was touted as a rising star. Claims were made that AMC knowingly cheated Darabont and CAA out of more than $200 million in revenues from his time with the show.
A motion was filed by AMC attorneys alleging disparities between initial paperwork and subsequent claims filed in January 2018. New York Supreme Court Judge Eileen Bernsten heard the brief arguments allowing no more than 15 pages of documentation to be submitted. Bernsten was willing to review the differences, “It could be significant, it could be nil,” she said. “But the court would appreciate a complete record.”
Judge Bernsten denied the alleged claims by the plaintiffs that defense has purposely dragged out the case longer than necessary. She did not necessarily agree with either side but the defense maintains its allegation of inconsistencies between the plaintiff’s cases.
Attorney Orin Snyder, representing the defense, credited the court with doing their due diligence. “We are eager to show the court that CAA, a company of Hollywood agents, is playing fast and loose with the facts. We look forward to our next day in court.”
Judge Bernsten is expected to issue next steps at a hearing scheduled for May 31.