Spinal Tap bandmates join lawsuit over film’s profits

Spinal Tap bandmates join lawsuit over film's profits | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - This June 2, 2016 file photo shows Michael McKean at the Television Academy's 70th Anniversary at The Television Academy in Los Angeles. McKean, Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner joined a federal lawsuit filed by "This is Spinal Tap" co-creator Harry Shearer against Vivendi S.A. and its subsidiary StudioCanal in October alleging the companies had fraudulently withheld profits and the rights to the characters from the 1984 film. Reiner directed and narrated the classic satire of a fictional British rock band on the decline. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES – Spinal Tap has reunited — this time in a Los Angeles court to challenge the French studio Vivendi S.A. for millions in profits from the mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap.”

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner on Tuesday joined a federal lawsuit filed last year by bandmate and Spinal Tap co-creator Harry Shearer.

Shearer, who also voices numerous characters on “The Simpsons,” sued Vivendi S.A. and its subsidiary StudioCanal in October alleging that the companies fraudulently withheld profits from the 1984 film. Reiner directed and narrated the classic satire of a fictional British rock band on the decline.

An email message sent to Vivendi seeking comment was not immediately returned. The company has said it does not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit seeks rights to the film and its characters.

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