Martin Scorsese faces lawsuit for delayed project

Martin Scorsese faces lawsuit for delayed project

Martin Scorsese

MUMBAI: Director Martin Scorsese has been sued by Cecchi Gori Pictures for going back on his promise of making a film project that he agreed to do 22 years ago.
 
According to the production house, the 69-year-old had entered into an agreement to make a film titled Silence way back in 1990. But, it was put on the back burner so that he could work on three of his films -- The Departed, Shutter Island and Hugo.
 
The director had reportedly signed a new agreement to make Silence again in 2004 but kept delaying the project to make Wolf of Wall Street.
 
It is said that Scorsese paid for the right to do each of those films before Silence but never paid the hefty fee for Hugo.
 
The suit alleges the director owing Cecchi Gori Pictures a fee of $1.5 million, plus the value of his producer title on ‘Hugo‘ + 20 perc ent of his back-end on ‘Hugo‘.
 
Meanwhile, Martin Scorsese‘s representatives expressed shock that that Cecchi Gori Pictures has sued the famed director.
 
"It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures," Scorsese‘s representatives said in a statement.
 
"Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action," the statement added.