Entertainment

Producer Leonora Ann Darby sues Tea Shop Productions over 'Obsession' profits

Darby alleges she was cut out of her agreed-upon share of net profits after rescuing the hit horror film from creative and editing issues.

Updated Sep 1, 2026 · 02:21 UTC1 reports

The short version

Executive producer Leonora Ann Darby filed a lawsuit in California state court against Tea Shop Productions co-founders James Harris and Mark Lane.
Darby claims she was promised a one-third share of net profits for films she lead-produced, but was shut out after the low-budget movie 'Obsession' became a massive $500 million box office hit.
The lawsuit asserts that Darby played a critical role in saving the film by restoring its director to the edit, ordering reshoots, and making key creative recommendations.
She is seeking a full financial accounting of multiple projects as well as her unpaid bonuses and profit participation.

Leonora Ann Darby filed a lawsuit on Monday in California state court against Tea Shop Productions co-founders James Harris and Mark Lane.[The Hollywood Reporter]
The lawsuit alleges the defendants breached a 2024 agreement guaranteeing Darby a 33.3 percent share of net profits for films she lead-produced.[The Hollywood Reporter]
According to the complaint, Darby intervened in 'Obsession' when the edit had been taken away from director Curry Barker, successfully advocating for his restoration, calling for reshoots, and recommending major creative shifts to commit to the film's supernatural elements.[The Hollywood Reporter]
'Obsession' grossed over $500 million worldwide on a reported $750,000 budget after selling to Focus Features for $16.2 million at the Toronto International Film Festival.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Darby claims she was shut out of public recognition and that her access to financial collection account information was withdrawn after she raised the issue of proceeds.[The Hollywood Reporter]
The complaint states that Harris initially offered Darby a $300,000 payment, but the defendants later proposed a first-look agreement that explicitly excluded her from any 'Obsession' profits.[The Hollywood Reporter]

The defendants and film director Curry Barker have not yet publicly responded to the allegations or filed legal answers to the complaint.[The Hollywood Reporter]