Joanne Harris has revealed that she was paid only £5,000 for the film rights to Chocolat. So why do some authors get the big bucks and some have to settle for the crumbs?
When Charles Webb, who died earlier this year, sold the movie rights to his 1963 novel The Graduate for $20,000, it earned him a place in one newspaper’s list of “the world’s biggest mugs”. (Mike Nichols’ 1967 film version grossed more than $100m.) Where does that leave Joanne Harris, who admitted this week that she let Chocolat go for £5,000? Presumably, she would be excused “mug” status by virtue of having also negotiated a £100,000 cut of the film’s box office. Even so, flogging Chocolat so cheaply surely qualifies it as the Milk Tray, rather than the Amedei Porcelana, of movie-rights deals.
The promise of wealth from film and television is the pot of gold at the end of the publishing rainbow.
When Charles Webb, who died earlier this year, sold the movie rights to his 1963 novel The Graduate for $20,000, it earned him a place in one newspaper’s list of “the world’s biggest mugs”. (Mike Nichols’ 1967 film version grossed more than $100m.) Where does that leave Joanne Harris, who admitted this week that she let Chocolat go for £5,000? Presumably, she would be excused “mug” status by virtue of having also negotiated a £100,000 cut of the film’s box office. Even so, flogging Chocolat so cheaply surely qualifies it as the Milk Tray, rather than the Amedei Porcelana, of movie-rights deals.
The promise of wealth from film and television is the pot of gold at the end of the publishing rainbow.
- 8/27/2020
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
Similar News
Dune: Part Two Sets Max Streaming Date; Is Now Available On 4K Uhd Blu-Ray
- 5/14/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
‘The Sympathizer’s’ 27 Emmy Submissions: Director Park Chan-wook’s Episode Pick, Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Oh and More (Exclusive)
- 5/14/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
A Whole World: A Conversation with Andrea Arnold
- 5/14/2024
- MUBI
“To attack a child’s performance is shameful”: Ron Howard Tore a Famous Magazine to Shreds for Attacking Jake Lloyd’s Star Wars Performance When He Was Only 9 Years Old
- 5/2/2024
- by Santanu Roy
- FandomWire
The Pope's Exorcist 2 Will Bring Back Russell Crowe For More Demon-Hunting
- 5/2/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
“I couldn’t handle it, I said no”: Spider-Man 2 Star Alfred Molina’s Story of His Father is Enough to Make Grown Men Cry
- 5/2/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Netflix Joins ‘The Thursday Murder Club’, Chris Columbus & Amblin Entertainment’s Feature Adaptation Of Big-Selling Richard Osman Novel
- 4/25/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The Unknown | Production company behind Wonka experience film had no online footprint five days ago
- 3/5/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Best of 2023: The 10 Best Horror Adjacent Movies of the Year
- 12/24/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.