The producers of a documentary on the Berlin Wall are suing David Hasselhoff for breach of contract, fraud and unfair business practices, among others, according to court documents.
Owl Media alleges that Hasselhoff agreed to be in its “unique” documentary for an upfront fee of $25,000 as well as 15% of the profits. The film was to tell of Hasselhoff’s fame in Germany, the popularity of his song “Looking for Freedom” during the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the resonance the song has for Germans today.
The suit claims that Hasselhoff manager Eric Gardner later told Mark Hayes, the filmmaker of the first documentary, of a call he received from National Geographic. Nat Geo reportedly wanted to work with Hasselhoff on a Berlin Wall documentary as well. Hayes says he subsequently saw a Nat Geo press release stating it had commissioned the documentary Hasselhoff vs. the Berlin Wall.
The plaintiffs say this made their documentary unmarketable, unprofitable and unable to recoup any investments.
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The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Superior Court. Nat Geo and Gardner are also listed as defendants.
A representative for Hasselhoff declined to comment to The Hollywood Reporter. Nat Geo did not immediately respond to THR’s requests for comment.
[THR]
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