TORONTO (CelebrityAccess) The movie “A Star Is Born,” starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, is expected to make a big, critically acclaimed splash when it is released nationwide but the movie has already seen a #MeToo moment.
A credited producer of the film, Jon Peters, was sued by one of his former employees, Shelly Morita, for exposing himself to her in front of her 2-year-old daughter and she was awarded more than $3.3 million in the harassment case in August 2011, according to the Associated Press. The jury determined Peters subjected Morita to “severe and pervasive” harassment and a “hostile or abusive” work environment. The two later settled the case, overturning the judgment. Terms were not disclosed.
Jezebel took issue with Peters in a Tuesday report titled “A Star Is Born’s Notorious Producer Has Been Sued for Sexual Harassment at Least Five Times.” Warner Bros said Tuesday that it was contractually bound to credit Peters. “A Star Is Born” has been in development for years.
“Jon Peters’ attachment to this property goes as far back as 1976,” said the studio in a statement. “Legally, we had to honor the contractual obligation in order to make this film.”
The Producers Guild of America also confirmed Tuesday that Peters did not work on the film long enough to get a “p.g.a.” label of a producers mark, which means he likely will not be listed as a producer if the film was nominated for best picture, and he would not get an Oscar if it wins.
One of the film’s producers, Bill Gerber, praised Peters role in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year.
“There were a lot of complicated deals on ‘A Star Is Born,’ a lot of heavy-hitters,” Gerber said. “And Jon could not have been more helpful in getting it all in line.”
Peters, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is credited for producing movies like 1989’s Batman, Rain Man, Flashdance, and Caddyshack.
