By Jacqueline Lindenberg For Dailymail.Com 1:01 AM 20 Mar 2023, updated 1:44 AM 20 Mar 2023
Mean Girls writer Rosalind Wiseman has slammed Tina Fey while revealing that both she and her attorneys 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 back in 2002 for $400,000, according to an article in Saturday’s New York Post.
She told the outlet that she hasn’t received an ounce of compensation since then, explaining, “I think it’s fair that I’m being compensated in some way for the work that has changed our culture and the zeitgeist.”
Since its release in 2004, Mean Girls has grown into a classic beloved by many viewers, grossing a whopping $130 million at the box office on a budget of just $17 million. Due to its popularity, a Broadway musical was also created based on the film and premiered in 2018.
Rosalind explained that she reached out to Paramount, but she said the studio told her it made no profit from the franchise.
Taking action: Mean Girls author Rosalind Wiseman, 54, announced that she and her attorneys are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios and Tina Fey for withholding revenue. seen in 2018 Earnings: The writer claimed to the New York Post on Saturday that she signed her film outright in 2002 and received $400,000, but hasn’t received any compensation since then
The author also claimed that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the script, did not show any “support.”
After many years of being silent about the situation, Rosalind told the New York Post, “For so long I’ve been so quiet, so, so quiet, but I just feel like the hypocrisy is too much.”
“Over the years, Tina has spoken so eloquently about women supporting other women, but I’ve come to realize that in my own personal experience, that’s not going to be the experience,” she said, adding, “You’re not just talking about supporting women, they actually do it.
After signing the contract in 2002 and relinquishing her film rights as well as rights to television shows and musicals, Rosalind was to receive net profits and also residual profits based on the film’s success once it was released in theaters.
However, Wiseman has claimed that the studio told her it had incurred “incremental costs” rather than net gains and therefore could not provide her with any additional revenue. Rosalind’s attorneys have stepped in to review Paramount’s books.
The author admitted, “Yes, I had a terrible contract, but the film made so much money, and they recycle my work over and over again that they don’t even consider me.”
She revealed that despite Rosalind having had a number of different offers for the rights, she decided to work with Tina because she felt it was “very much of a ‘we do this together’ kind of experience” at the time.
“We created this thing, Tina took my words, she did an exceptional job with it. She brought it to life and the material has been used and recycled for 20 years.”
“I’m clearly recognized and acknowledged by Tina as the source material, the inspiration. I’m recognized and yet I don’t deserve anything?’ Wiseman asked.
The author then admitted to the publication that the experience was quite “painful.”
Lack of “support”: The writer also claimed that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the screenplay, showed no “support” whatsoever; former SNL star, seen out in NYC earlier this month, commented: After many years of being silent about the situation, Rosalind told the New York Post, “For so long I’ve been so quiet, like, so quiet, but I just feel like hypocrisy is too much’
She then brought up the premise of her book, saying, “Women don’t have to be best friends, we can be mad at each other, but when it comes down to it, we actually have to support each other.”
Rosalind’s attorney, Ryan Keech, also spoke to the New York Post about the studio’s “treatment” of the author, calling it “downright shameful.”
Regarding the Tony-nominated musical, which opened to Broadway audiences in 2018 but came to an end in 2020 due to the pandemic, Wiseman told the outlet that years ago a theatrical producer reached out to her about turning the story into a musical.
However, she claimed that both Paramount and Fey ruled out the possibility citing property rights, resulting in Rosalind receiving no compensation. Wiseman attended the premiere of the musical, which was also the last time she saw Tina in person.
“What’s difficult is that they used my name in the program booklet,” she explained. “And Tina said in her interviews I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no pay.”
Rosalind explained to the New York Post, “For many reasons I haven’t checked in for a while, and one of the reasons for all these years — because I’ve been so focused on not whining or trying to destroy Tina.”
“I’m just not, and it’s almost disrespectful to the substance of what we’ve done. I just felt so trapped,” but added, “I truly believe that in a position of power and privilege you have a responsibility to share in order to bring about justice.”
It was announced back in January 2020 that the musical would be made into a film, with Tina Fey writing the project and producing and reprising her original role as a teacher, Ms. Norbury. Rosalind claimed Fey never reached out to her regarding the upcoming film.
At the time of the big news, the former SNL comedian told Playbill, “I’m really excited to be bringing Mean Girls back to the big screen.”
The contract: Wiseman has claimed that the studio told her it had incurred “additional costs” rather than net gains and therefore could not generate additional revenue for her musical adaptation: “What’s difficult is that they used mine names in the playbill,” she explained, adding, “and Tina said in her interviews I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no pay”; Fey was spotted out in NYC earlier this month
“It was incredibly satisfying to see how much the film and musical meant to audiences. I’ve spent 16 years with these characters now. They are my Marvel Universe and I love them very much,” she continued.
Leading cast members, announced in late December last year, include Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey, per People. While Tina reprises her role, Tim Meadows will also reprise the role 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 appearance in the upcoming Paramount+ project has yet to be announced.
Last month, a source told 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 didn’t respect what they’re worth.” ‘