The real monster of the hit zombie-apocalypse series “The Walking Dead” is AMC, the series’ creator and former showrunner claims in a lawsuit accusing the network of stiffing him on tens of millions in profits.
Director Frank Darabont accuses AMC of hoarding revenue by licensing the popular drama to its own affiliates at below-market rates, according to his Manhattan Supreme Court suit filed Tuesday.
AMC’s decision to produce the series in-house, instead of with an independent studio such as Lionsgate or Warner Bros., meant that Darabont lost out on up to 12.5 percent of profits, the lawsuit claims.
Darabont said he agreed to the production arrangement after AMC promised he would be fairly compensated. He calls the move “self-dealing” that is barred by his contract.
“The Green Mile” and “Shawshank Redemption” writer calls his efforts to launch the zombie show “extraordinary,” explaining that he worked 20-hour days on what became the “highest rated premiere in AMC’s history.”
At the end of Season 1, “The Walking Dead” was the most- watched series in cable history, the California-based creator notes in court papers.
In the middle of Season 2, Darabont was abruptly sacked by the network.
A rep for AMC did not immediately respond to a call for comment.