James Caan’s Final Film Facing Major Lawsuit
James Caan was meant to appear in one final film as a mob boss, but now that film is in jeopardy after it is invovled in a lawsuit.
The collective film-loving world came together earlier this month to honor one of the most legendary actors that recently passed away. James Caan of The Godfather, Thief, Misery, and Rollerball fame, sadly passed away on July 6th. However, it had been announced that he had one final film in the pipeline, which was fantastic news. His final film would focus on organized crime and is called Fast Charlie. Now, the news of the film’s release is in jeopardy after the screenwriter who wrote the feature is suing over the rights of the film.
Fast Charlie was written by Lee Goldberg and based on a novel called Gun Monkeys. Goldberg claims that he entered into a written agreement with Boomtown Media in March of 2021 to obtain the option to the motion picture, television, and ancillary rights to any film made or adapted from Gun Monkeys. All monies were to be paid to Goldberg’s company, Adventures in Television if a film was based on the previously mentioned novel. He was meant to receive credits in the main title, home video packaging, and other areas of monetary gain should this script be used. However, Boomtown assigned the rights to Fast Charlie Nola, without paying Goldberg. This is not a good look for the final James Caan film.
Goldberg is now suing both Boomtown and Fast Charlie Nola after the companies have allegedly failed to pay Goldberg and his company the monies that they had agreed upon, and he was not given the first chance to revise the script through his company. The movie has apparently already been completed too, but Goldberg has filed an injunction to stop the defendants from releasing the film until the legal issues can be sorted out. Goldberg and his company are seeking rights to writing, co-producer credits, and compensatory damages. Again, this is not good news for the legacy of James Caan. We aren’t saying it will be tarnished, but his final film being wrapped up in such drama is a bit of an insult.
Fast Charlie follows Charlie Swift (Pierce Brosnan) as he shadows and works for mob boss Stan (James Caan) for nearly 20 years as a fixer and hitman. Stan and his team are targeted by a rival crime boss, and they are all eliminated apart from Charlie. Now Charlie is hellbent on revenge to kill everyone involved with taking his friend and mentor away from him. Joining Caan and Brosnan are Gbenga Akkinagbe, Morena Baccarin, and Toby Huss. The film sounds quite exciting, and we are hoping these issues can be resolved so that it can be released.
Fast Charlie was likely to be released sometime this year, though that seems like it will not happen. Once Lee Goldberg and Adventures in Television receive their proper agreed-upon money or credits, then the release can move forward. We hope that is soon, as the final James Caan film sounds exciting and is one final chance for fans to see the man do what he does best.
