LOS ANGELES, March 2 (UPI) -- The ongoing battle over production credits for the Oscar-nominated film, "Crash" has careened into Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The Producers Guild of America was the first to cut financier Bob Yari out of the production credits for the film, and upon appeal the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences agreed with the guild, saying he did not play a large enough role to be included among the list of producers.
It is unclear if Yari's suit could result in his being on stage to accept the award if "Crash" wins the best picture Oscar Sunday night, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The academy has declined to comment on the lawsuit, but earlier revamped its rules regarding production credits saying too many people were receiving credit for little actual work on a film. In the case of "Crash," only two of the film's original six producers were recognized by the Producers Guild and academy.
Cathy Schulman, who is among the "Crash" producers recognized by the academy, is suing Yari, her former business partner, claming he owes more than $2 million in fees and bonuses, the Times said.
The film, which has garnered more than $55 million at the box office, is nominated for six Academy Awards.
