Terrifier Actress Catherine Corcoran's Lawsuit Over 1% Profit Deal Moves Forward in Court

A federal judge has ruled on Friday that actress Catherine Corcoran's lawsuit regarding her profit-sharing deal for the Terrifier franchise can proceed. Corcoran, who portrayed Dawn in the original 2016 film, claims she is entitled to 1% of profits from the entire franchise, including merchandise and streaming rights. The case will clarify the scope of her contract, which has been a point of contention between her and the film's director, Damien Leone.

Background of the Lawsuit and Contract Dispute

Corcoran's legal battle stems from a backend deal she made for 1% of profits from the Terrifier series. The judge's decision allows the breach of contract claim to advance, focusing on whether this deal extends beyond the original movie to include the sequels. Leone and his production company, Dark Age Cinema, argue that the agreement only applies to the 2016 film.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge André Birotte emphasized the ambiguity surrounding the contract terms, stating, "There is sufficient ambiguity around the contract terms" to proceed with the case. The legal proceedings will determine if Corcoran is entitled to a portion of the profits from Terrifier 2, which grossed $15 million, and Terrifier 3, which earned $90 million.

Key Arguments Presented in Court

Corcoran's attorney, Devin McRae, highlighted that Corcoran began receiving payments in 2022, indicating that the production company may have recognized her entitlement to profits beyond the contract's two-year term. This could imply that both parties viewed the agreement as covering more than just the initial film.

"The Court’s ruling confirms that the core of Ms. Corcoran’s case remains intact and is plausibly pled," McRae stated, indicating that the claims regarding Corcoran's contractual rights are set to move forward into discovery.

Dismissal of Other Claims

In a setback for Corcoran, the court dismissed her claim related to California's revenge porn statute, which alleged that Dark Age exploited a nude scene without her consent. Judge Birotte ruled that Corcoran should not have expected privacy while filming, stating, "Her voluntary presence on a public film set for over ten hours invalidates her position that Defendants should have known she reasonably expected privacy."

Lawyer Larry Zerner, representing Leone, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We appreciate the Court’s careful review of the pleadings, which led to the dismissal of the vast majority of the plaintiff’s meritless claims." Meanwhile, McRae noted that the court allowed Corcoran to amend her allegations, which they intend to do shortly.

Working Conditions During Filming

The lawsuit also described challenging working conditions faced by Corcoran during the filming of her scene, where she was suspended by her ankles for extended periods. To manage the pooling of blood, the scene was shot in 40-second increments over a ten-hour period, with a platform used at times to allow her to lay horizontally.

Despite the challenges, Corcoran's case is now set to proceed as she seeks clarity on her contractual rights and the potential profits from the Terrifier franchise.