Michael Trigg, an aspiring actor and apparent millionaire, is suing The Weinstein Co. over a breach of contract. The Weinstein Co. is a powerful production and distribution company with the following titles under its belt among many others: “Bridezillas,” Django Unchained, Feast, Grindhouse, Inglorious Bastards, The Mist, My Week with Marilyn, Piranha 3D, “Project Runway,” Rambo, Rob Zombie’s Halloween, Scary Movie 4-5, Scream 1-4, and Wolf Creek. Basically what I’m trying to say here is – good luck with this one.
Back when Scary Movie 5 was heading into production, Michael Trigg donated $100,000 to the production budget in return for a small role in the movie starring Ashley Tisdale, Simon Rex, Charlie Sheen, and Lindsay Lohan. It’s becoming common for studios to auction off small roles in movies with the proceeds usually going to charity. A simple search of “win a walk on role” on Google will yield you with a ton of results. Michael Trigg was the highest bidder, and thus the small “speaking role” was his.
Allegedly, when Trigg’s copy of his scene in Scary Movie 5 arrived, he was shocked to see his “speaking part” was toned down to only one single word of dialogue. He was distraught – obviously, wouldn’t you think a $100,000 donation of your own money was worth at least a minor role? – and contacted The Weinstein Co., who told him the fine print in the contract was very clear: you are not entitled to loads of dialogue and it’s possible that your scene may end up on the cutting room floor. Michael Trigg is not listed in any cast pages, although clicking on his full resume on IMDB will show that he played a delivery guy. And, even worse, when he arrived on set he was told his day of shooting had been changed, and he had to schedule his own accommodations out of pocket. If you have $100,000 to donate to movie charities, then why don’t you have enough money to rent a motel for an extra day? Anyone in show business knows that filming NEVER goes as planned.
After negotiating another contract with The Weinstein Co., another small role in the upcoming James Wan movie Demonic and a refund of $40,000 should his scene in Scary Movie 5 be cut, Trigg was shocked again to find his dialogue only consisted of two words. Originally, he had no lines at all, and allegedly had to remind the director of his contractual obligations to get his two words in the movie. So now Michael Trigg he is suing The Weinstein Co. for breach of contract, for negligent misrepresentation, and for other financial costs. He is also suing Charitybuzz and La Jolla Playhouse, the charity his donation went to. Real classy there, bud.
Scary Movie 5 was released in 2013 and was a modest box office hit, but critically panned. Demonic is scheduled for release before the end of 2014.
Trigg looks like he could break my face with one punch so maybe I shouldn’t be so mean! But, what do you guys think about the lawsuit? Justifiable or no? Comment on here or Facebook to voice your opinion.
