A producer is suing the co-founders of Tea Shop Productions, alleging they cut her out of profits from the successful horror film "Obsession," which has grossed over $500 million worldwide. Leonora Ann Darby filed a lawsuit in California state court, accusing James Harris and Mark Lane of reneging on an earlier agreement that would have granted her equal producer status and profit participation.
Darby claims her contributions to the psychological thriller, which included "rescuing" the film, should have qualified her for a lead producer role. According to the lawsuit, Harris and Lane allegedly excluded her from profits after the film became a significant box office success and was featured in Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights.
Her legal team stated that Darby has brought "serious and substantial claims, supported by a detailed factual record," and intends to pursue the case fully. Darby began working with Tea Shop Productions in 2019, contributing to films such as "Bull" and "A Banquet" in 2021, "The Surfer" in 2024, and "Tornado" scheduled for 2025.
Darby's involvement in "Obsession" was reportedly crucial in its timely delivery for a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was acquired by Focus Features for $16.2 million. The lawsuit contends that Darby negotiated a new compensation agreement in 2024 for a one-third share of net profits on films where she served as lead producer.
When Darby joined "Obsession," creative control had reportedly been shifted away from writer-director Curry Barker to a new editor. The lawsuit alleges that Darby intervened when this change appeared to harm the film, facilitating Barker's return during post-production. She is also credited with arranging necessary reshoots that addressed post-production issues and improved the film.
Darby's notes on the film's opening sequence, character arcs, and a strong recommendation to fully embrace the supernatural elements, including the "One Wish Willow," are cited in the lawsuit as critical to the film's direction and success. She also advocated for the inclusion of a pivotal "money scene" that confirmed the film's supernatural premise.
Despite these contributions and an initial agreement for Darby to receive a $300,000 fee with continued participation in net profits, the lawsuit alleges that Harris and Lane breached their 2024 agreement after the film's release. Darby was reportedly not invited to promotional events or the premiere screening, and was informed that "Obsession" would be the one film on which she would receive no continuing participation. Tea Shop Productions allegedly proposed a revised agreement that removed the promised profit share, with future compensation to be determined at Harris and Lane's discretion.
The lawsuit further alleges a pattern of behavior where Harris and Lane promised Darby equal treatment, memorializing it financially with a net profits share, while maintaining control over the mechanisms for her to benefit from that equality. Darby is also seeking a full accounting of "Obsession" and other Tea Shop Productions projects to ascertain any additional compensation owed to her.