Producer sues after alleged scam over Obsession profits

The story of a cinematic blockbuster often hinges on the vision of its creators, but sometimes, the financial reality behind the curtain reveals a far more complex and bitter narrative. For producer Leonora Ann Darby, the ascent of her film Obsession”>Obsession—which became one of the most profitable independent films in recent memory—has been overshadowed by a sweeping legal battle against her former colleagues, alleging a pattern of exploitation and broken promises.

Darby claims that she was brought into the fold by Tea Shop founders James Harris and Mark Lane in 2019 with the expectation of an equal partnership. Instead, the narrative she details suggests she was relegated to a subordinate role, shouldering the immense production burdens while the profits were channeled elsewhere. The ensuing lawsuit paints a stark picture of disparity: Darby alleges she was promised one-third of the net profits from films she co-produced, a figure that would have translated into enormous earnings for her.

The success of Obsession, which ultimately grossed nearly $510 million globally after being acquired by Focus Features, makes the discrepancy in profit sharing all the more striking. The film itself cost under $800,000 to produce, yet the distribution and acquisition generated staggering wealth. Darby argues that her crucial intervention during the troubled post-production period, where she restored director Curry Barker’s creative control and guided the project to its blockbuster status, was not rewarded with equitable compensation.

Rather than sharing the windfall, Darby claims Tea Shop provided only an initial sum and a $300,000 bonus before systematically excluding her from any profit participation. This treatment, she contends, was part of a broader pattern of gendered mistreatment over seven years by the two older male producers.

The legal challenge extends beyond the single film Obsession. Darby is demanding an accounting for profits across several other projects managed by Tea Shop, including A Banquet, Bull, The Wasp, The Cut, Into the Deep, Tornado, and The Surfer. She is seeking unspecified damages and wages, putting the focus squarely on the principle of profit participation in independent filmmaking.

The lawsuit targets Tea Shop, its various business entities, James Harris, and Mark Lane, holding them all individually liable. While the case is set to go before a jury trial, the legal action promises to be a landmark discussion about ownership, compensation, and equity in the lucrative world of independent cinema.

#A Banquet#Bull#Curry Barker#Obsession#The Wasp

By Noah Miller