Part 6/8:
Notable examples unveil the broader consequences of these accounting tactics. Winston Groom, the author of Forrest Gump, was promised a 3% profit share on an adaptation that grossed over $700 million but received nothing for years until he threatened legal action. Similarly, the Tolkien estate was denied their fair share from the Lord of the Rings franchise, which reportedly raked in $6 billion.
In a world increasingly dominated by streaming, the situation grows grim for many, as opportunities for traditional profit-sharing dwindle. Movies on platforms like Netflix often stay away from theaters, which curtails the potential for residuals and makes it far harder for actors to receive financial recompense.