Warner Bros. Discovery is facing accusations of withholding Bonnie Aarons’ fair share of merchandising revenue for her portrayal of the demon nun in the popular horror film franchise, The Conjuring. Aarons, who played the iconic character, alleges that she has not been properly compensated for her contribution to the franchise’s merchandise sales.
The complaint, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, names Warner Bros., New Line Cinemas, and Scope Productions as the entities involved in the agreement with Aarons. According to the complaint, Aarons was paid $71,500 for her role in The Nun, which went on to earn over $365 million at the box office on a budget of $22 million. Aarons’ contract included a $175,000 bonus linked to the film’s box office performance and a share of profits from merchandise featuring her character.
However, the lawsuit claims that Warner Bros. has failed to provide a transparent account of Aarons’ rightful share of the merchandising revenues. The studio is accused of concealing the true amount owed to Aarons while continuing to exploit her image through the sale of merchandise. The agreement stipulates that Aarons is entitled to a “pro-rata share of 5% of 50% of the gross receipts” from the licensing of merchandising rights.
Aarons further alleges that the revenue statements provided by Warner Bros. were incongruous with the extensive merchandising activities associated with her character. When she requested access to the studio’s financial records, Warner Bros. reportedly provided a spreadsheet that only accounted for a fraction of the known licenses. This has led Aarons to believe that the studio deliberately withheld information regarding the actual sales and profits generated from the merchandise.
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The lawsuit claims breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which refers to the obligation to act in a manner that upholds the intended benefits of a contract for all parties involved.
The demon nun character portrayed by Aarons first appeared in the sequel to The Conjuring and later sparked the spinoff film, The Nun. The popularity of the character led to a line of merchandise featuring dolls, jewelry, and posters. According to the text of the agreement referenced in the complaint, it appears that other cast members whose names or likenesses were used in the specific merchandising items received a portion of the merchandising revenue.
As of now, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinemas have not provided any comments on the matter.
The case has raised concerns about fair compensation for actors and actresses involved in merchandising agreements. It highlights the importance of transparency and proper accounting practices to ensure that performers are adequately rewarded for their contributions to the success of a franchise and its merchandise.
In conclusion, Bonnie Aarons, known for her role as the demon nun in The Conjuring franchise, has accused Warner Bros. Discovery of withholding her rightful share of merchandising revenue. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Aarons claims that Warner Bros. has provided inconsistent revenue statements and concealed important financial information related to the merchandise sales. This case highlights the need for transparency and fair compensation in merchandising agreements within the entertainment industry.
