Spinal Tap re-form to slap film studio with a £320m lawsuit over profits from the hit mockumentary
The stars of cult movie This Is Spinal Tap have staged a comeback to sue a film studio for £320million.
Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and comedian Harry Shearer say they are owed the money for creating the hit mockumentary.
Reiner, Guest and McKean have joined a lawsuit filed last year by Shearer (pictured left in the film) against French company Vivendi and its subsidiary Studio Canal.
![Turning it up to £320m: Spinal Tap members David St Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tuffnel (Christopher Guest) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170209072153/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/19/0032AEAF00000258-4205094-Turning_it_up_to_320m_Spinal_Tap-m-2_1486581031610.jpg)
Turning it up to £320m: Spinal Tap members David St Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tuffnel (Christopher Guest) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)
They claim profits from the film, its music and its merchandise have been withheld, and that the company engaged in anti-competitive and unfair business practices, as well as fraudulent accounting.
Reiner directed and narrated the 1984 spoof documentary about the British rock band.
The stars are seeking £320million in compensatory and punitive damages from Vivendi, up from the £100million originally claimed by Shearer.
The lawsuit says the creators have been told that global music sales from the soundtrack album total just £78 and they are only entitled to share £65 between them from global merchandising sales.
Reiner, who also directed The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, said: 'Such anti-competitive practices need to be exposed. I am hoping this lawsuit goes to 11.'
Vivendi failed to comment.
-
The families who pay less to vacuum when it rains... or...
-
Bovis buyers who became victims of the rush to build:...
-
The (very clean) factory where dreams are made: Inside...
-
ASK TONY: I tried to withdraw £200 and the cash machine...
-
Savings market chaos adds insult to UK's injured savers:...
-
Tax raid that could hike the price of YOUR holiday: B&Bs;,...
-
Interest rate rise may be needed soon to curb inflation,...
-
Savers dealt a fresh blow as NS&I; slashes rates on four...
-
House prices fell £2,000 in January, says Halifax, as...
-
DAN HYDE: Wholesale energy prices are lower than they...
-
No loan advice for over-60s: Banks refusing to meet...
-
FTSE CLOSE: Footsie up by a whisker as strong gains in...
-
Now even Germany wants to scupper LSE deal: Deutsche boss...
-
Why ripped jeans were a disaster for New Look: Retailer...
-
Unmarried woman wins right to claim her late long-term...
-
FTSE 250 soars to record high and pound bounces back as...
-
The Body Shop 'set for £852m sale' as L'Oreal sees sales...
-
HAMISH MCRAE: Should we take a leaf out of Ireland's book...