LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – One mean-looking biker dude has just picked a $5 million fight with FX.
Television
Chuck Zito, who describes himself as the former leader of the New York City Hells Angel chapter and a “radio, television and film personality,” filed a breach of implied contract lawsuit Tuesday claiming that the hit FX drama “Sons of Anarchy” was based on his ideas.
Zito says he developed a show called “Nomads” (later “The Wild Angels”) and had ICM agent Ted Chervin set up a pitch meeting with FX executives John Landgraf and Nick Grad in 2004, during which Zito disclosed his ideas for a show about a renegade motorcycle club.
FX passed but in 2006 began developing “Sons of Anarchy” with Kurt Sutter. Sutter, who is alleged to have had no previous knowledge of bikers, did have a relationship with FX, where he executive produced “The Shield.” And he apparently also had Chervin as his agent (ICM ultimately packaged the show, according to the lawsuit).
“FX was obligated to pay Zito the reasonable value of his ideas, hire him to work on the series and afford him screen credit as creator,” says the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. “Defendants breached an implied-in-fact contract with defendant.”
Zito wants $5 million in damages. FX didn’t respond to a request for comment.