Brendan Fraser Sues Producer of Failed WILLIAM TELL Movie

Brendan Fraser has launched a lawsuit over a failed attempt to bring the legend of William Tell to the screen in 3D. The suit, aimed at producer Todd Moyer states that Fraser is seeking a minimum of $3 million.

The Mummy star was first offered the role in William Tell in early 2011, being told that the film would shoot in October of that year. Fraser apparently turned down several roles in the interim, but William Tell never materialized-despite the hiring of director Eric Brevig (who directed Fraser in Journey To The Center Of the Earth). In the suit Fraser states that Moyer used his name to raise financing for the film and according to Deadline “Fraser was to receive fixed compensation of $2.25 million with 10% paid as a hold fee with the balance to be deposited in escrow with Fraser’s agency CAA. According to the suit, Moyer continued to delay or stall the start of production and has failed to deposit the balance of Fraser’s fixed fee with CAA”.

Moyer commented on the lawsuit by saying:

“This is the first I have heard of this lawsuit. As we told Mr Fraser’s reps, we are ready, willing and able to make the movie for the September 3rd start date. Julius Nasso and I have the movie fully financed. Unfortunately, Mr Fraser does not seem to be interested in making the movie as a 2D film as the producers intend to do. This is not a contractual decision Mr Fraser has the ability to make.”

So, Moyer believes that Fraser qualm with the film is the lack of 3D. Odd.

This seems to be the same old story of a producer flying by the seat of his pants, hooking a star and then attempting to raise the finance around their name. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. If it isn’t and Moyer does have cash then we’ll see if William Tell does shoot this September, or if it falls apart due to this lawsuit and Fraser’s absence from the mix.