Lawsuit Filed Over 'Obsession' Profit Share
Executive producer Leonora Ann Darby has filed a lawsuit against fellow producers James Harris and Mark Lane, alleging she was cut out of her share of profits from the hit filmObsession. The lawsuit, filed in California state court, accuses the Tea Shop Productions co-founders of reneging on an agreement to treat her as an equal producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Outlook India.
Darby claims she was promised one-third of the net profits from films she lead-produced but was denied continuing participation afterObsession became a major box office success, reports say. The film recently crossed $500 million worldwide on a reported $750,000 budget, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Darby's Role and Creative Contributions
Darby joined Tea Shop Productions in 2019 as a development and production executive and rose to become one of the company's three producers alongside Harris and Lane, The Hollywood Reporter reports. According to the lawsuit, in 2024 the parties agreed to entitle Darby to one-third of net profits for films she lead-produced, along with participation in collection account management agreements.
The complaint alleges that Darby was involved withObsession when its edit was taken away from writer-director Curry Barker and handed to another editor, according to Outlook India. Darby reportedly pushed for the edit to be restored to Barker and recommended reshoots to address problems with the film.
The lawsuit credits Darby with several creative recommendations, including addressing the relationship between the two lead characters, their arcs across the first two acts, and the film's supernatural elements, Outlook India reports. Darby also advocated for the 'One Wish Willow' to become a genuine supernatural element within the film's world, and the suit argues these changes "critically resulted in a new pathway for the film" (per Outlook India).
Darby allegedly took on a leadership role ensuringObsession was completed in time for its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, according to Outlook India. The film was subsequently sold to Focus Features for $16.2 million, per the complaint.
Alleged Breach of Agreement
Darby alleges that onceObsession became a major hit, Harris and Lane failed to honor the 2024 agreement, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The lawsuit claims Darby was boxed out from public recognition, including not being invited to the film's premiere, according to both outlets.
Darby addressed the issue of proceeds with Harris, who offered her a $300,000 initial payment with the agreement she would continue to participate in net profits, per the complaint. However, her access to collection account management agreement information was allegedly withdrawn, and Tea Shop Productions proposed a new consulting arrangement that was later withdrawn in favor of a first-look agreement stating Darby would not participate inObsession profits, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The complaint describes a years-long pattern of broken promises and diminishment of Darby's work at Tea Shop Productions, and Darby is seeking a full accounting of several projects includingObsession and any unpaid profit participation and bonuses due to her, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Legal Response
Darby's lawyer, Thomas K. Richards of Singh, Singh and Trauben, said in a statement that "Ms. Darby has brought serious and substantial claims, supported by a detailed factual record." He added that "She is confident in her case and intends to pursue it fully." The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to representatives for Tea Shop Productions and Barker for comment.
Background onObsession
Obsession is noted for its box office success and the story of its 26-year-old writer-director, Curry Barker, who rose from YouTube filmmaker, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Barker has since been tapped to write and direct an A24 reboot ofTexas Chainsaw Massacre and another original story with Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.