Randy Quaid has filed suit against the producers of Brokeback Mountain claiming they misled him about the movie’s budget. Quaid’s suit asks for $10 million because he claims Ang Lee said “'[the producers] can't pay anything, we have very little money, everyone is making a sacrifice to make this film” when in fact the producers were involved in a ‘movie laundering’ plan by pushing the movie as an art film when in fact it had studio backing.
I hate to back Ang Lee in anything, but I’m not sure if Quaid has a real complaint. According to Box Office Mojo, Brokeback Mountain’s budget was $14 million which isn’t quite an indie film but neither does it have a summer blockbuster budger either. No word on what Quaid was actually paid, but I’m not sure how much he’s worth either. This is Cousin Eddie we’re talking about. Frankly, Quaid’s performance should do wonders for his career as it showed he can do more than walk around in polyester pants with a cucumber shoved down the front.
It would be interesting to see if Quaid has some evidence to backup his claim or if this is just a clever way to get his hands in the money lined pockets of Ang Lee and Focus Features. I’d be willing to bet we get a quick settlement and Randy Quaid starring in a few more films from the parent company, Universal.
Credit: Reuters
