Roger Rabbit author sues
The author of a novel made into the 1988 comedy film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, in which British star Bob Hoskins interacted with cartoon characters, has sued the Walt Disney Co over access to merchandising documents.
Gary K Wolf, who wrote the 1981 novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, claims the studio has blocked access to bookkeeping that may show he is owed royalties.
Disney released Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, and the film grossed nearly £170m.
It also won four Academy Awards for technical achievements.
The company has continued to market merchandise featuring characters from the film, such as daffy Roger, seductive Jessica Rabbit and surly Baby Herman.
The Disneyland theme park even features a children’s section called Toontown, the fictional neighbourhood of Los Angeles where Wolf’s animated creatures lived.
Wolf agreed to the marketing of his characters, but said he simply wants to audit Disney to determine whether the company has paid him fairly.
Disney spokeswoman Christine Castro said the company denies the charges made in Wolf’s lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
"We’ve received the complaint and reject its allegations," she said.
"Unfortunately, such differences sometimes arise in business arrangements"
