The Walking Dead and its franchise properties are monumentally popular, and there are some who want in on the profits. At the head of the pack is Frank Darabont, who originally developed the series and was fired during production on season two.
With CAA, he sued AMC in 2013, and was later joined by fellow producers like Gale Anne Hurd for a claim that has finally yielded a massive payout. According to The Wrap, after a previous attempt in 2018 to get the suit thrown out, AMC has now agreed to a $200 million settlement.
The company’s SEC filing reads: “The Settlement Agreement provides for a cash payment of $200 million (the “Settlement Payment”) to the plaintiffs and future revenue sharing related to certain future streaming exhibition of ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Fear The Walking Dead.’ The Company has taken a charge of approximately $143 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2021 in consideration for the extinguishment of Plaintiffs’ rights to any compensation in connection with ‘The Walking Dead’ and any related programs and the dismissal of the actions with prejudice, which amount is net of approximately $57 million of ordinary course accrued participations. The Settlement Agreement also includes customary provisions included in such agreements, including providing for mutual releases, covenants not to sue, waivers, confidentiality, non-disparagement and indemnification for third party claims.
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The Walking Dead is based on the Robert Kirkman comic and first premiered on AMC on October 31st, 2010. The show has enjoyed a massive following, and will finally come to an end next year following the premiere of its eleventh and final season this August.
Two spin-offs, Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond, have been positively received, and there are three movies and two spinoffs still in the works beyond that, indicating a long and surely prosperous future for this undead franchise.