Producer Leonora Ann Darby filed a breach of contract lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on August 28, alleging that Tea Shop Productions executives James Harris and Mark Lane systematically underpaid her and reneged on profit-sharing promises tied to the global horror hit Obsession, according to court documents filed by Beverly Hills firm Singh, Singh & Trauben.
Breach of Contract Complaint Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court
According to the 135-page court filing, Darby entered Tea Shop Productions in 2019 when the company was fledgling and struggling. James Harris and Mark Lane allegedly brought her onboard with promises of equal status regarding compensation, company direction, project decisions, and financial transparency. The complaint outlines a seven-year pattern of unequal treatment and broken promises directed at a younger female producer whose labor helped grow the company.
Darby asserts she fulfilled her responsibilities by originating projects, assembling financing, managing vendors, and guiding films from pre-production through delivery. The legal action states that the defendants continually refused to properly compensate her while treating her in a demeaning and gendered manner.
Rescuing Obsession and Missing Out on Box Office Profits
The lawsuit centers heavily on the horror film Obsession, which was budgeted at less than $800,000 and starred Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston. According to the complaint, Darby stepped in to rescue the project—written and directed by Curry Barker—when it went off track creatively and during post-production. Her intervention helped secure a $16.2 million sale to Focus Features at the Toronto Film Festival.
Obsession subsequently grossed nearly $510 million worldwide following its May release by Focus Features. Despite a 2024 agreement promising Darby one-third of the net profits due to Tea Shop on films she lead-produced, the filing alleges she was cut out of the overall net profits aside from a single initial payment and an extra $300,000 disbursement.
Did you know?
Obsession was produced on a modest budget of under $800,000 before achieving a massive worldwide box office return of nearly $510 million after its wide release by Focus Features.
Demands for Equitable Accounting Across Multiple Film Projects
The 10-claim jury trial demand seeks unspecified damages and wages alongside an equitable accounting and inquiry into several motion pictures. According to the court documents, the requested financial review covers Obsession, A Banquet, Banquet, Bull, The Wasp, The Cut, Into the Deep, Tornado, The Surfer, and any other projects tied to the disputed agreements.
Alongside Tea Shop Productions, the suit names James Harris and Mark Lane individually. Focus Features and fellow executive producer Jason Blum are not named as defendants in the litigation.
Deadline reached out to Tea Shop Productions for comment regarding the lawsuit but did not receive a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who filed the lawsuit against Tea Shop Productions?
Producer Leonora Ann Darby filed the breach of contract lawsuit against Tea Shop Productions, James Harris, and Mark Lane on August 28 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
What film is central to the legal dispute?
The horror movie Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker and starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, is the primary focus of the profit-sharing dispute.
What compensation was Darby allegedly promised?
According to the complaint, Darby was promised one-third of the net profits due to Tea Shop on films she lead-produced, alongside direct participation in collection account management agreements.
Are Focus Features or Jason Blum named in the lawsuit?
No. Focus Features, which distributed the film wide, and fellow executive producer Jason Blum are not named as defendants in the complaint.
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