Big fat lawsuit launched over profits from Greek Wedding film

Four people behind the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding including the Canadian who inspired the 2002 sleeper hit have sued the producers, saying they didn't get their share of the big fat profits.

Co-producers Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman, and Winnipeg-born scriptwriter and star Nia Vardalos filed suit Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom.

They have sued Gold Circle Films, Big Wedding Prods. and Vortex Pictures for their percentage of net profits.

The movie, shot partly in Toronto,cost $5 million US to make. It grossed about $370 million worldwide, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo.

Gold Circle has underestimated the returns on the film in an attempt to keep more of the profits, the suit alleges.

"The accounting statements rendered by defendants have been vague and inadequate in failing to provide information consistent with industry standards," the court filing says.

Vardaloswrote a one-woman play that inspired My Big Fat Greek Wedding andplayed the young Greek wallflower in the film. She claims she is owed about eight per cent of adjusted gross profits.

The part led to a short-lived TV series that picked up where the film left off.

The other three producers also say they have not received their share.

Scott Niemeyer, a principal at Gold Circle, said he has met all contractual obligations from the film.

He dismissed the lawsuit as "frivolous" and "completely without merit."