AMC settles ‘Walking Dead’ lawsuit against filmmaker Frank Darabont for $ 200 million

AMC Networks has settled a long legal dispute with filmmaker Frank Darabont and the Creative Artists Agency for $ 200 million over the long-running zombie streak from cable network owner “The Walking Dead”.

This settlement comes less than a month before the series launches its eleventh and final season.

In the settlement, filed with the SEC on Friday, AMC buys all rights to “The Walking Dead” and all related spinoffs from Darabont, executive producer and creative force for the first two seasons of “The Walking Dead.” In addition to the cash payment, the settlement provides for revenue sharing for future streaming exhibitions of “The Walking Dead” and “Fear The Walking Dead” in Darabont.

Darabont is an Oscar nominated filmmaker who directed “The Shawshank Redemption”.

The settlement also includes covenants not to prosecute, confidentiality and waivers, among other provisions.

AMC said it took on $ 143 million related to the settlement in the quarter ending June 30.

Darabont and CAA launched a first lawsuit in late 2013, when the series was among the most popular on television. Darabont and the company had requested around $ 300 million in profit-sharing payments, and the trial for the lawsuit was scheduled to begin in April 2022.

Darabont’s attorney and the CAA did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment.

“The Walking Dead”, based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman, premiered in 2010 and spawned “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” spinoffs. Its final season will begin on August 22.