Mean Girls writer Rosalind Wiseman has slammed Tina Fey, revealing that both she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios for allegedly withholding revenue.
The 54-year-old author, whose book Queen Bees and Wannabees inspired the 2004 hit, sold her film rights in 2002 for $400,000, according to an article in he New York Post on Saturday.
She informed the outlet that she hasn’t received an ounce of compensation since then, saying, “I think it’s only fair for me to be able to be compensated in some way for work that has changed our culture and changed the zeitgeist.”
Since its release in 2004, Mean Girls has become a classic beloved by many audiences, grossing a whopping $130 million at the box office on a budget of just $17 million. Due to its popularity, a Broadway musical based on the film was also created and released in 2018.
Rosalind said she had contacted Paramount, but said the studio told her it had made no profit from the franchise.
Taking action: Mean Girls writer Rosalind Wiseman, 54, revealed that she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios and Tina Fey for withholding revenue; seen in 2018
Earnings: The author told the New York Post on Saturday that she signed on to her film immediately in 2002 and received $400,000, but hasn’t received any compensation since.
The author also alleged that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the script, has not shown any ‘support’.
After keeping quiet about the situation for many years, Rosalind told the New York Post: “For so long I was so quiet about it, so, so quiet, but I feel like the hypocrisy is too much.”
“Over the years, Tina has spoken so eloquently about women standing up for other women, but it’s becoming increasingly clear to me that in my own personal experience, that’s not going to be the experience,” she said, adding: ” You don’t just talk about supporting women, you really do it.’
By signing the contract in 2002 and relinquishing her film rights, as well as TV show and music rights, Rosalind was set to receive net earnings as well as residual earnings, depending on the success of the film once it hit theaters. .
However, Wiseman has claimed that the studio told him he had earned “additional costs” rather than net earnings, so it did not have the ability to give him any extra income. Rosalind’s lawyers have stepped in and want to audit Paramount’s books.
The author admitted, “Yeah, I had a terrible contract, but the movie has made a lot of money and they keep recycling my work over and over again, so they don’t even consider me.”
He revealed that although she had several different offers for the rights, Rosalind chose to work with Tina because she felt that, at the time, “it was very much a ‘we’re doing this together’ experience.”
‘We created this thing, Tina took my word for it, she did an amazing job on it. She brought it to life and the material has been used and recycled for the last 20 years.’
“Tina clearly recognizes me and recognizes me as the source material, the inspiration. Am I recognized and yet I deserve nothing? Wiseman questioned.
The author later admitted to the publication that the experience has been quite “painful.”
Lack of ‘support’: The author also alleged that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the script, has not shown any ‘support’; former SNL star seen earlier this month in New York
Speaking up: After keeping quiet about the situation for many years, Rosalind told the New York Post: “For so long I was so quiet about it, so, so quiet, but I feel like the hypocrisy is just too much.”
She then brought up the premise of her book, saying, “Women don’t have to be the best of friends, we can get mad at each other, but when it comes down to it, we need to support each other.”
Rosalind’s attorney, Ryan Keech, also opened up to the New York Post about the studio’s “treatment” of the author, calling it “nothing short of shameful.”
Regarding the Tony-nominated musical that came to Broadway for audiences in 2018 but came to an end due to the pandemic in 2020, Wiseman informed the outlet that years ago, she was approached by a theater producer about adapting the story to A musical.
However, he claimed that both Paramount and Fey shut down the possibility, citing proprietary rights, which resulted in Rosalind not receiving compensation. Wiseman attended the musical’s premiere, which was also the last time he saw Tina in person.
“The difficult thing is that they used my name in the Playbill,” he explained. “And Tina, in her interviews, said that I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no payment.”
Rosalind explained to the New York Post: “For many reasons, I didn’t perform for a while and one of the reasons for all these years, because I was so focused on not whining or trying to tear Tina apart.”
“That’s not who I am and it’s almost disrespectful to the content of what we were doing. I felt so trapped,’ but she added, ‘I’m a firm believer that when you’re in a position of power and privilege, you have a responsibility to share that in order to create equity.’
In January 2020, it was announced that the musical would be adapted into a film, with Tina Fey writing the project as well as producing and reprising her original role as a teacher, Mrs. Norbury. Rosalind claimed that Fey had never approached her regarding the upcoming film.
At the time of the big news, the former SNL comedian said Program“I am very excited to bring Mean Girls back to the big screen.”
The contract: Wiseman has claimed that the studio told him that he had earned “additional costs” rather than net profit, so it did not have the ability to give him any additional income.
Musical adaptation: “What’s difficult is that they used my name on the Playbill,” he explained, adding, “And Tina, in her interviews, said that I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no payment”; Fey seen earlier this month in New York
“It has been incredibly gratifying to see how much the movie and musical have meant to audiences. I’ve spent 16 years with these characters now. They are my Marvel Universe, and I love them very much,” he continued.
The main cast members, who were revealed late last year in December, include Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey, according to People. While Tina will reprise her role, Tim Meadows will also step back into the shoes of director Duvall.
In the 2004 teen comedy, Lindsay Lohan, who recently announced her pregnancy, along with Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried. Whether the four will make a cameo in the upcoming Paramount+ project has yet to be revealed.
Last month, a source said page six that, “Paramount Pictures doesn’t want to pay the girls what they’re worth,” adding, “All four girls were willing to come back, but Paramount hasn’t been respectful of what they’re worth.”
