Film star Jesse Eisenberg claims that the producers of a low-budget horror movie are deceiving the public with its promotional material, which suggests that he is the star of the movie. In fact, Eisenberg says, he only has a brief cameo in “Camp Hell,” making the DVD’s cover with his face prominently displayed false advertising. In response to the alleged fraud, Eisenberg has filed a lawsuit against Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment, the companies behind “Camp Hell,” for $3 million.
According to the lawsuit, Eisenberg agreed to spend one day shooting a small role for the movie as a favor to friends involved in the production. He received only minimal compensation. However, the cover of the DVD is mostly dominated by Eisenberg’s face, and his name is displayed in large letter on the top, implying that “it is a horror film starring Jesse Eisenberg,” probably seeking to take advantage of Eisenberg’s recent rise to fame, the lawsuit alleges.
Eisenberg and his attorneys say that his reputation would be harmed if Lionsgate is allowed to promote “Camp Hell” – which is about a Christian Bible camp that is possessed by demons – that way. “[His] reputation and good will with the public and his fans will be severely harmed” once they buy the movie and learn that Eisenberg’s part is much smaller than suggested on the DVD cover, the lawsuit claims. The suit accuses Lionsgate and Grindstone of misappropriation of right of publicity and unfair business practices, among other things.
Eisenberg is best known as the star of the films “Zombieland” and “The Social Network.”
Source: Reuters, “Jesse Eisenberg sues studio over Camp Hell advertising,” Brent Lang, Nov. 30, 2011
