Elton John's farewell tour has taken a surprising turn as two renowned movie stuntmen, Theo Morton and Douglas Robson, have filed a lawsuit against the singer for using their performance footage without permission. The dispute centers around a 18-second clip from the 2017 film 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle', where Elton John, dressed in his iconic 70s feathered suit and platform boots, showcases his acrobatic skills by kicking a stuntman in the face. This incident highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding the use of performance footage in entertainment.
Morton and Robson, known for their work in blockbuster films like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Dunkirk', argue that they were not adequately compensated for their involvement in the 'Kingsman' franchise. The lawsuit claims that the film company, MARV Bespoke Productions Limited, failed to obtain their consent for the use of their performance in Elton John's 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' stage show, which went on to become the highest-grossing concert tour in history. The stuntmen are seeking £100,000 each in damages and an injunction to prevent further unauthorized use of their footage.
The legal battle revolves around the interpretation of the contracts signed between the stuntmen and the film production company. The stuntmen's barrister, Jonathan Moss KC, argues that the contracts entitle them to a percentage of royalties from the film and any new uses of their performance. However, MARV's barrister, Tom Cleaver, counters that the stuntmen had already assigned their rights to the film company, which then licensed the footage to 20th Century Fox for Elton John's tour. Cleaver emphasizes that MARV played no role in the licensing process and did not profit from the use of the clips.
The case highlights the challenges of navigating the rights and permissions in the entertainment industry. It raises questions about the extent of control performers have over their work and the responsibilities of production companies in managing these rights. As the trial unfolds, the outcome will have significant implications for stunt performers and the film industry, potentially setting a precedent for how performance footage is utilized and compensated in future projects.
