Star Wars: Episode VIII Director Sued by Former Agent

Rian Johnson Hit By Lawsuit From Former Agent

♦Our friends over at Variety have news that Star Wars: Episode VIII director Rian Johnson is being sued by his former agent…

Star Wars: Episode VIII writer and director Rian Johnson has been sued by his former agent Brian Dreyfuss for a breach of contract. Dreyfuss is claiming that Johnson still owes him 10 percent commission for his “Star Wars” check.

The lawsuit states that Dreyfuss had arranged a meeting between Johnson and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy back in 2012. The suit also states that Johnson wasn’t interested in taking on any project with the company at the time. Although Dreyfuss was fired by Johnson in 2014, a full year before he was signed on to direct “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” his former agent claims that he was cut out of contracts and negotiations. Dreyfuss also claims that Johnson owes him commissions on some of his previous films, like “Looper.”

Producer Ram Bergman, who Dreyfuss says “orchestrated much of Johnson’s business life,” is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

Johnson’s reps could not be reached for comment.

Star Wars: Episode VIII only recently started production. The film stars Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Carrie Fisher as Leia and both Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro in yet-to-be-specified roles.

The film hits cinemas in December 2017.

www.variety.com