Fear the Walking Dead Co-Creator Sues AMC in Profits Dispute

Dave Erickson, the co-creator of Fear the Walking Dead, has filed a lawsuit against AMC Networks. The legal action was submitted in California state court. He alleges the network has prevented him from receiving his share of the show’s profits.

The suit claims AMC has consistently reported the series as operating at a financial deficit. This accounting practice has blocked Erickson from receiving backend payments for over a decade.

Lawsuit Alleges Decade of Unpaid Profits for Hit Series

According to the lawsuit, Erickson has not received any profit participation payments. This is despite the show’s significant success and long run. His legal team calls the show a “massive hit” for the network.

The complaint states that AMC’s reported deficits have made backend payments impossible. Erickson’s lawyers argue the show’s performance should have generated substantial profits. They told The Hollywood Reporter that without this legal action, he would never see a dollar.

Historical Precedent with Walking Dead Franchise Lawsuits

This is not the first profit-based lawsuit AMC has faced from a Walking Dead creator. Frank Darabont, co-creator of the original series, sued the network in 2013. He made similar claims about profit participation and licensing fees.

That case was eventually settled for a reported $200 million. Erickson has now retained the same law firm that represented Darabont. This historical context adds weight to the current allegations against the network.

The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions between creators and studios over profit-sharing models for hit television shows. The outcome could influence future contracts within the industry, especially for long-running series like Fear the Walking Dead.

Thought you’d like to know

What is Dave Erickson suing AMC for?

He is suing for breach of contract. Erickson claims he has not received any profit participation payments from *Fear the Walking Dead*. The lawsuit alleges AMC’s accounting practices are the reason.

Who else was involved in creating the show?

Dave Erickson co-created the series with Robert Kirkman. Kirkman is the original creator of *The Walking Dead*. Erickson also served as the showrunner for the first three seasons.

Has AMC faced similar lawsuits before?

Yes. Frank Darabont, co-creator of the original *The Walking Dead*, previously sued AMC. That lawsuit was settled for a reported $200 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

How long has *Fear the Walking Dead* been on air?

The series has been airing for approximately ten years. It premiered as a spinoff to the highly successful main series, *The Walking Dead*.

What is profit participation?

It is a form of backend compensation. It allows key creatives to share in a show’s financial success. This typically happens after initial production costs are recouped.