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Thursday, April 18, 2024 | Back issues
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Pop Duo’s Dad Sues Nick Cassavetes

LOS ANGELES (CN) - The father of Canadian pop stars Carmen and Camille sued film director Nick Cassavetes, claiming he broke a promise to cast the twin sisters in a movie, use their music on the soundtrack and repay a $300,000 loan.

John Thomas and his record label Twinspin Music sued Cassavetes, 53, in Superior Court, alleging breach of contract, breach of faith, and fraudulent misrepresentation. In the fall of 2010, Cassavetes floated the idea to Carmen and Carmille Thomas of casting them in his movie "Yellow," and having them perform a cover version of Tracy Ullman's "They Don't Know" for the soundtrack, the twin's father claims.

Thomas says in the complaint that there was "one catch to Cassavetes' pitch" - he needed a $300,000 to develop and produce the movie.

Because Tailspin was "excited by prospect of furthering the career of its recording artists" it agreed to provide a short-term loan to Cassavetes, the complaint states.

Cassavetes told the twins' dad that he would get a producer credit, and that he would repay Twinspin the loan plus interest, for a total of $345,000, on Oct. 15, 2010, according to the complaint.

But Thomas claims: "Cassavetes never had any intention of casting 'Carmen & Camille' in the picture, of featuring a song by 'Carmen & Camille' in the picture, of providing the producer credit to plaintiff Thomas, or of repaying the loan on a timely basis."

He claims that Cassavetes failed to repay the loan, cast the twins, use their music, or give him producer credit.

"As a result of this breach of the loan agreement and fraudulent actions, plaintiffs have not only lost the amount of the loan and interest, but also the opportunity to invest that money in other potentially lucrative business ventures," the complaint states.

Cassavetes, whose previous credits include "The Notebook" and "My Sister's Keeper," is the son of actress Gena Rowlands and legendary indie filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes.

"Yellow" is a comedy drama film about a young woman with a drug problem, according to industry website IMDB.

Thomas demands at least $500,000 in damages and exemplary damages, and costs.

He is represented by Brian Wolf with Lavely & Singer.

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