Feb 7, 2019 - Economy

Woody Allen files $68 million against Amazon Studios

Marisa Fernandez

Film director Woody Allen has filed a $68 million lawsuit against Amazon Studios alleging there was a breach of contract when the studio backed out of a four-picture deal and refused to air one of Allen's completed films, Variety reports.

The big picture: The suit claims Amazon backed out of the deal because of allegations that Allen sexually molested his daughter Dylan Farrow in the 1990s, which he has denied. The allegation resurfaced as the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017.

According to the suit, Amazon associate general counsel Ajay Patel sent a notice in June 2018 — about two years after the deal was struck — terminating the four-picture agreement. The suit said Patel did not provide a reason for axing the deal or refusing to release Allen's next film, “A Rainy Day in New York.”

However, Allen claims he met with Amazon Studios executives Jason Ropell and Matt Newman in December 2017 and discussed "the negative publicity and reputational harm" that had been caused by their association with Harvey Weinstein and then-Amazon Studios head Roy Price, who was terminated due to misconduct allegations.

"Amazon has tried to excuse its action by referencing a 25-year-old, baseless allegation against Mr. Allen, but that allegation was already well known to Amazon (and the public) before Amazon entered into four separate deals with Mr. Allen — and, in any event it does not provide a basis for Amazon to terminate the contract. There simply was no legitimate ground for Amazon to renege on its promises."

— The lawsuit states

Go deeper: Read the full lawsuit

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Woody Allen files $68 million against Amazon Studios

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