LOS ANGELES – Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought against him by an aspiring screenwriter who accused him of taking $500,000 for a World War II movie project without delivering any results. The writer, Simon Afram, alleged that Scorsese had agreed to serve as an executive producer for Afram’s screenplay “Operation: Fortitude,” aiming to attract top-tier talent and commence filming in Europe later that year.
However, the production never materialized, with Afram and his co-producer claiming that Scorsese failed to make any efforts to advance the project or even meet with them, despite their repeated attempts to communicate. They subsequently requested a refund, but their money was not returned.
In response, Scorsese’s lawyers argued in a cross-complaint that Afram had minimal industry experience and did not understand the challenges of getting a film off the ground. They emphasized that the process of developing and producing movies can often span several years, citing the example of Scorsese’s own film “The Irishman,” which took 12 years to come to fruition.
Scorsese’s legal team alleged that the director had actively identified potential directors for the project and reached out to them, but none expressed interest. They contended that it was Afram and his co-producer who owed Scorsese the second $500,000 installment outlined in their contract.
The lawsuit was initially filed in May 2023, with the plaintiffs claiming a loss of $500,000 and 15 wasted months. Afram expressed frustration that “Operation: Fortitude” had yet to assemble its cast and crew or commence production, stating that they had essentially been forced to start over.
After nearly a year of legal battles, the parties involved have now reached a settlement, ending the dispute. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Scorsese, known for his renowned body of work including “Taxi Driver,” “Goodfellas,” and “The Departed,” has a long-standing reputation in the film industry. The outcome of this lawsuit highlights the challenges and expectations that arise for both established filmmakers and aspiring talents in the complex world of movie production.