Mean Girls writer Rosalind Wiseman has slammed Tina Fey, revealing that both she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios for allegedly withholding revenue.
The 54-year-old author, whose book Queen Bees and Wannabees inspired the 2004 hit, sold her film rights in 2002 for $400,000, according to an article in the New York Post Saturday.
She told the outlet that she hasn’t received an iota of compensation since then, saying, “I think it’s only fair that I can be compensated in some way for the work that changed our culture and the zeitgeist. “
Since its release in 2004, Mean Girls has grown into a classic beloved by many viewers, earning a whopping $130 million at the box office on a budget of just $17 million. Due to its popularity, a Broadway musical was also created based on the film, which premiered in 2018.
Rosalind said she contacted Paramount, but she said the studio told her it wasn’t making any profit from the franchise.
Action: Mean Girls writer Rosalind Wiseman, 54, announced that she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios and Tina Fey for withholding of earnings; seen in 2018
Earnings: The writer claimed to the New York Post on Saturday that she immediately signed her film in 2002 and was paid $400,000, but has not received any compensation since then.
The writer also claimed that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the script, showed no “support”.
After years of keeping quiet about the situation, Rosalind told the New York Post, “I’ve been so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so long, but I just feel like the hypocrisy is too much.”
“Tina has spoken so eloquently over the years about women supporting other women, but I’ve come to realize that in my own personal experience, that’s not going to be the experience,” she said, adding, “You don’t just talk about the support of women, you really do.’
After signing the contract in 2002 and giving up her film, television show and music rights, Rosalind received net earnings as well as residual earnings based on the film’s success once it was released in theaters.
However, Wiseman claimed that the studio told her that it incurred “additional expenses” rather than a net profit and therefore could not provide her with any additional income. Rosalind’s lawyers stepped in to review Paramount’s books.
The writer admitted: “Yes, I had a terrible contract, but the movie made so much money and they keep recycling my work that they don’t even think about me.”
She revealed that although Rosalind had a number of different rights offers, she chose to work with Tina because she felt “it was very much a ‘we’re in this together’ experience at the time”.
“We made this thing, Tina took my word for it, she did an exceptional job with it. She brought it to life and the material has been used and recycled for 20 years.”
“I am clearly recognized and recognized by Tina as the source material, the inspiration. I’m recognized and still earn nothing?’ Wiseman wondered.
The author then admitted to the publication that the experience was quite “painful”.
Lack of “support”: The author also claimed that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the script, showed no “support” whatsoever; The former SNL star was spotted out and about in NYC earlier this month
Speaking of which, after years of keeping quiet about the situation, Rosalind told the New York Post, “I’ve been so, so, so, quiet for so long, but I just feel like the hypocrisy is too much.”
She then advanced the premise of her book, saying: “Women don’t have to be best friends, we can be mad at each other, but when it comes down to it, we really have to support each other.”
Rosalind’s attorney, Ryan Keech, also spoke to the New York Post about the studio’s “treatment” of the writer, calling it “downright embarrassing.”
As for the Tony-nominated musical, which opened on Broadway in 2018 but ended in 2020 due to the pandemic, Wiseman told the outlet that a theater producer contacted her years ago about turning the story into a musical. .
However, she claimed that both Paramount and Fey precluded citing property rights, preventing Rosalind from receiving any compensation. Wiseman attended the premiere of the musical, which was also the last time she saw Tina in person.
“The difficult part is that they used my name in the show,” she explained. “And Tina said in her interviews that I was the inspiration and source, but there was no payment.”
Rosalind explained to the New York Post: “For many reasons I haven’t checked in for a long time and one of the reasons for all these years – because I was so focused on myself, not whining or trying to destroy Tina.”
I’m just not, and it’s almost disrespectful to the substance of what we’ve done. I just felt so trapped,” but added, “I truly believe that when you’re in a position of power and privilege, you have a responsibility to share it to create equality.”
In January 2020, it was announced that the musical would be made into a film, with Tina Fey writing the project and reprising her original role as teacher, Mrs. Norbury, manufactured and resumed. Rosalind claimed that Fey never contacted her about the upcoming film.
At the time of the big news, the former SNL comedian told Playbill, “I’m really looking forward to bringing Mean Girls back to the big screen.”
The deal: Wiseman claimed the studio told her it earned “incremental expenses” instead of net income, meaning it couldn’t provide her with any additional income
Musical adaptation: “The difficult thing is that they used my name in the play,” she explained, adding, “and Tina said in her interviews that I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no payment”; Fey was spotted out and about in NYC earlier this month
“It was incredibly satisfying to see how much the film and musical meant to audiences. I have now spent 16 years with these characters. They are my Marvel Universe and I love them dearly,” she continued.
Leading cast members announced in late December include Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey, per People. While Tina reprises her role, Tim Meadows will also reprise the role of director Duvall.
The 2004 teen comedy starred Lindsay Lohan, who recently announced her pregnancy, alongside Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried. Whether the four will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Paramount+ project has yet to be announced.
Last month, a source told Page Six that “Paramount Pictures doesn’t want to pay the girls what they’re worth,” adding, “All four girls were willing to come back, but Paramount had no respect for who they are Value not. ” .’
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
