Antonio Tarver, who played Mason Dixon in “Rocky Balboa”, has filed a lawsuit against Rogue Marble Productions [Sly’s company], Columbia Pictures Industries, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Revolution Studios Distribution Co. with the claim that he has not been paid $1.5 million in bonuses owed him. It is Tarver’s contention that he is owed six bonuses based upon the movie’s gross of a reported $191 million dollars.
Sly’s attorney, Marty Singer, counters that Antonio Tarver is not owed any money. Singer explained to TMZ:
“On the first day of principal photography of ‘Rocky Balboa,’ Antonio Tarver, who had already reached an agreement for his appearance in the movie, refused to appear unless he received a back-end deal. He knew that if the production company did not cave in to his demands and give him a back-end deal, the motion picture would have to be shut down.
As such, Mr. Tarver received notice a few weeks ago that he had engaged in duress, among other claims, and that he had no right to receive any back-end on the motion picture due to his alleged duress.”
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