The producers of AMC Networks’ “The Walking Dead” have filed a new $200 million lawsuit in their latest effort to recover profits from the hit show and its spinoffs.
A group of producers — including the creator of the comic book series, Robert Kirkman — first sued AMC in 2017 over how it calculated profits from the show, but most of their claims were rejected by the court.
On Monday, the producers renewed their claims in Los Angeles Superior Court, suing AMC Networks for breach of contract over the zombie series and its prequel, “Fear the Walking Dead.”
In their latest complaint, the producers allege that AMC’s $200 million settlement with series showrunner Frank Darabont in 2021 entitles them to similar treatment.
Orin Snyder, attorney for AMC, noted that the producers’ biggest claims against the network were already rejected by the court.
“Another lawsuit means another attempt to rewrite their agreements and extract even more than the millions they have already been paid, and will be paid in the future, for their profit participation in The Walking Dead,” Snyder said in a statement. “This is just another crass money grab. We are confident it will fail, as their previous attempts have failed.”
Fights over profit sharing have escalated between distributors and content creators, who argue they have been short-changed as shows have taken off on streaming platforms.
So far, the producers of “The Walking Dead” have faced multiple setbacks in court. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel Buckley in 2020 agreed with AMC’s arguments that it did not breach its contract with the producers.
