|
 Allen, 83, accused the Amazon.com Inc unit of breach of contract
for backing out last June, after an accusation resurfaced that
he had in 1992 molested his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow.
"Amazon has tried to excuse its action by referencing a
25-year-old, baseless allegation against Mr. Allen, but that
allegation was already well known to Amazon (and the public)"
before it contracted with Allen, the complaint said. "It does
not provide a basis for Amazon to terminate the contract."
Amazon Studios did not immediately respond to requests for
comment.
Allen has long denied the allegation by Dylan Farrow and her
mother Mia Farrow, who appeared in a dozen of his films and was
his longtime partner. He has not been charged.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan follows
more than two decades of modest commercial fortunes for many
Allen films.
Allen has won four Oscars, including best director for 1977's
"Annie Hall," which also won best picture. Several actresses
have also won Oscars for his movies.
But some actors and actresses expressed regret for appearing in
Allen's films after Dylan Farrow's accusation gained renewed
attention in the #MeToo movement, which began in late 2017.
In the complaint, Allen said Amazon Studios had already
contracted with him and his Gravier Productions to distribute
his films "Cafe Society" and "Wonder Wheel" before entering the
four-film agreement in August 2017.
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But he said studio executives soon expressed concern about "negative
publicity and reputational harm" it faced over harassment claims
against its former president Roy Price, and its ties to Hollywood
mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Weinstein has denied allegations by more than 70 women of sexual
misconduct. The Wall Street Journal said Price has disputed claims
against him. Price could not immediately be reached for comment.
Allen said he agreed to delay the release of "Rainy Day," only to
have Amazon Studios cancel their contract altogether.
"Amazon cannot continue in business with Mr. Allen," Amazon Studios
associate general counsel Ajay Patel wrote in a June 19 email.
Six days later, Amazon Studios' outside lawyer emailed that "renewed
allegations against Mr. Allen, his own controversial comments, and
the increasing refusal of top talent to work with or be associated
with him" supported the decision to back out.
Allen's lawyers said none of this justified the cancellation. Both
emails were attached to the complaint.
The case is Gravier Productions Inc et al v Amazon Content Services
LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.
19-01169.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
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