A literary scout says she found “Twilight” and “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” and now that they’ve inspired hit films, she wants to be paid.
In a breach of contract suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Nanette Shipley claims that she discovered the young adult books for Maverick Films. The production company then set the projects up with studios.
In return, Shipley says she was supposed to be paid $75,000 for delivering “Twilight” and $100,000 for “The Lightning Thief.”
That’s a pittance considering that the “Twilight” series has grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide and “The Lightning Thief” netted $226 million worldwide.
Maverick Films and its former CEO Mark Morgan are named as defendants in the suit.
“Despite the enormous success of both of these films — which would not have been possible absent Shipley’s services — Maverick has reneged on multiple promises to pay Shipley,” the complaint reads.
Shipley says that she was paid just $20,000 of the amount owed. She is suing for the remaining balance and legal fees.
Maverick Films was a production company co-founded by Madonna. It dissolved in 2008.
Morgan left to found Imprint Entertainment, which is listed as a producer on the “Twilight” films and “Percy Jackson.”
Morgan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
