Benedict Cumberbatch’s production company SunnyMarch is being sued by Portobello Productions over the rights to a Roald Dahl script, Variety reports. In November 2019, SunnyMarch, whose co-directors are Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland, entered into a co-production agreement with Portobello Productions to adapt one of Dahl’s novels, Danny the Champion of the World, into a motion picture. The book is about Danny, a young English boy, and his father, William, who live in a Gypsy caravan. The charming story dives into a wonderful father-son relationship and uncovers what it means to be family. Cumberbatch was set to star as Danny’s father, William, subject to his ability and approval of the script.
Portobello commissioned One Day writer David Nicholls to write the first draft. Then according to the agreement, both companies were to hire a director to work with Nicholls to revise the script. Then when approved, it would be sent out to the film’s financiers and talent. However, Portobello alleges they had not heard back from Cumberbatch or Ackland, despite both men taking on multiple other projects, including Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Power of the Dog, which Cumberbatch may win an Oscar for next month.
The lawsuit alleges: “Since the date of the Agreement, no material progress has been made in the development of the Film. The parties have not engaged a director, and no revised first draft of the Screenplay has been produced.” According to the co-production agreement, if SunnyMarch had not approved the revised script within twelve months of delivery or had not acquired funding within three years, Portobello was entitled to terminate the agreement and take back the rights to Nicholls’ script.
The agreement can also be terminated in Cumberbatch and Ackland “ceased to have control” of SunnyMarch, or “if either of their services were no longer exclusively available to either of those companies.” In September 2021, Cumberbatch and Ackland announced they had sold a minority stake to production and financing house, Anton. In December 2021, Portobello sent a notice to SunnyMarch declaring it was terminating the agreement and taking back ownership of the script. However, SunnyMarch lawyers responded, denying that Portobello was entitled to terminate the agreement.
Portobello has now turned to the court for a declaration that the agreement has been terminated and SunnyMarch “has no continuing rights in relation to the Film.” SunnyMarch has yet to file a defense.
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