$5 million is at stake in a new lawsuit brought upon Disney by Hannah Montana series co-creators series co-creators Barry O’Brien and Richard Correll.
O’Brien and Correll created the show with Michael Poryes in 2005. They now say they’re owed millions in pre-negotiated percentage-based bonuses based on their back-end deals and Writers Guild of America requirements for writers who receive “created by” credits. The duo claim Disney has denied repeated requests for payment and thwarted attempts to audit profits from the show.
Michael Poryes sued Disney on similar grounds in October 2008. And Correll also claims he was wrongfully terminated from the show and “blackballed” from future directing gigs by Disney..
Defendants are Walt Disney Pictures, ABC Cable Networks Group, Disney Channel, producers Bigwood Films, Fuss Budget Films, Silver Creek Pictures and It’s a Laugh Prods.
