‘Obsession’ Producer Claims She Was Shut Out of Profits in Breach-of-Contract Suit

Executive producer Leonora Ann Darby filed a lawsuit against two co-producers on her horror film "Obsession," alleging she was excluded from her share of the film's profits after the co-founders of Tea Shop Productions reneged on a contract. According to the lawsuit filed in California state court, James Harris and Mark Lane, co-founders of Tea Shop Productions, had agreed to treat Darby as an equal producer, but she claims she was denied her "net profit participation" despite her crucial role in saving the movie.

The suit alleges a "seven-year pattern of unequal treatment" and broken promises by Harris and Lane, who Darby's team says were the primary reason "Obsession" became a global hit. Darby, who joined Tea Shop Productions in 2019 and produced several films since, renegotiated her compensation in 2024 after becoming a lead producer alongside Harris and Lane.

She argued that they agreed to give her one-third of the net profits for the films she produced, as well as participation in the film's collection account arrangements. Darby claims she stepped in after the "Obsession" edit was taken away from Barker and given to another editor, making critical recommendations that led to the film's success.

She later assumed principal responsibility for post-production, scheduling, legal-clearance, and delivery work to get the film ready for its premiere. Darby alleges Harris and Lane breached their 2024 agreement and blocked her from public recognition, including being denied an invitation to the Los Angeles premiere. The suit seeks economic and statutory relief, including payment of her one-third share of "Obsession's" net profits, a complete accounting, unpaid wages and expenses, and relief for retaliation.