Til Schweiger's new film "Manta Manta" has received a lot of attention in recent weeks. However, not due of its substance. Serious charges were leveled against the producer and performer. A screenwriter has now filed a lawsuit.
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| Til Schweiger |
Following the claims against Til Schweiger, there is a new squabble over "Manta, Manta" - this time in court. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung's Thursday edition, the screenwriter Stefan Cantz's attorneys have launched a case against the production firm Constantin Film at the Munich I District Court.
The complaint was obtained exclusively by the Süddeutsche Zeitung from Cantz's law company, Baer Legal. Cantz is suing "due to subsequent payment claims and a violation of processing rights."
In 1991, the 67-year-old penned the screenplay for the first "Manta Manta" installment, which became a cult classic and launched the career of then-"Lindenstraße" actor Til Schweiger.
Cantz tells SZ that neither Til Schweiger nor Constantin Film informed him that a sequel was in the works. He would like to be a part of the money from "Manta, Manta" in the future, because it would be disproportionate to his salary at the moment.
He also seeks payment for the sequel "Manta, Manta - Zwoter Teil". Constantin's attorneys claim that he only has the right to film a remake of the film, not a sequel. When contacted about the charges, neither Constantin nor Til Schweiger wished to respond.
"Unfortunately, the process is a typical example of how screenwriters are treated in the German film industry," Cantz explains. "That irritates me, and I want to speak out against it." My goal is that this lawsuit will inspire other authors to refuse to put up with everything in this industry. You are capable of defending yourself."
Cantz has long been a sought-after screenwriter in the film industry, having written numerous episodes of "Tatort" and co-founding the Münster detective team of Axel Prahl and Jan Josef Liefers.