The actors and director of the classic 1984 mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” are turning up the volume on a longstanding gripe with entertainment giant Vivendi over profit sharing for the film’s soundtrack.
The Guardian newspaper reported Wednesday that Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner were joining cast member Harry Shearer in a $400 million court filing.
The quartet created the comedy about the slide into irrelevance of a once-popular English rock band, and featured original songs by Messrs. Guest, McKean and Shearer.
Mr. Shearer had already been pursuing legal action against Vivendi to the tune of $125 million, the Guardian reported.
Between 1989 and 2006, Vivendi reported that the total income from sales of the soundtrack was just $98, the court filing claims. According to The Guardian, the lawsuit claims Vivendi similarly paid out a paltry $81 due to the quartet for “worldwide merchandising income between 1984 and 2006.”
Although the $2.5 million budget comedy was screened in just 206 theaters at its widest release, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, “This Is Spinal Tap” went on to be a successful cult classic in home video sales and enjoys “certified fresh” critical acclaim on RottenTomatoes.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.