Castlevania Netflix Producer Files Lawsuit After Being Excluded From Spin-Off Series

What a horrible night to have a… Lawsuit?

“This castle is a creature of chaos…”

sounds like Shankar was being pushed out, whether by design or by oversight. which is hella shady.

You always have to be careful with "verbal agreements". Up to the courts now I guess.

This is why you get everything on paper, signed. May as well just toss a coin (to your witcher) to see who comes out on top.

A “handshake deal” is a heartbreak seal! … I tried to come up with a catchy rhyme for this kind of situation. I sure hope this doesn’t affect the quality of the upcoming spin-off.

Shame that both the writer and producer are now left out. It's certainly going to be a very different show.

I always had the impression (rightfully or wrongfully) that Shankar was the one who really brought the passion to the project. He seemed to genuinely be a fan and really wanted to make a good show.

He had been talking about Castlevania for years before it became a thing - at the time it seemed like one of those things that would never happen. Back then Castlevania was a dead game franchise and an animated series seemed very unlikely (especially based on the third game, loved as it is). It really seemed like Shankar just stuck with it and made it happen.

And he's also been involved in a lot of fan films (like that dark Power Rangers one form a few years back) - so, he's clearly dedicated to making things he's passionate about, that he believes in, even in cases where he can't legally profit from them.

So, this just makes me worried about the spin-off. I had been excited to see Richter's story. It could still he great; I'm sure that a lot of the original team is still working on it. But, without Shankar, maybe something will be missing - I'm worried it will be a bit soulless, just riding off of the success of the original show. Without Shankar, it might not have the same passion driving it. I may be giving him too much credit but I do have less hope for the new show.

Netflix will do well to keep adi onboard as this guy has the Midas touch.

I liked the show but I am not sure how much of the quality comes from any of these guys, all I know is, if the new one is any good I will watch it if it's not it's ok as well, TBH I wasn't in love with the art style so I don't mind shaking things up a bit

@Splodge I had the impression (rightfully or wrongfully) that the passion was kind of fake. He doesn't strike me as particularly genuine and he was taking credit for the whole thing from the start, I remember cringing when I first heard him talk about the show, he acted like he owned Castlevania! I don't know how many people slaved over this series but I know it wasn't just him.

Anyone could sue for not being involved in the spin off... voice actors, animators, it's a dumb reason to sue and he has no leg to stand on. It's an entirely different show. A spin off is an opportunity to get new eyes on a project. By doing this he's going to push himself out.

I don't know... the whole thing is ridiculous to me. For example, Dave Bautista has more of a reason to sue for not being asked to voice Drax in the new MCU What If series, and that's not even technically a spin off. But even he knows it's a completely dumb reason to sue. I feel like Adi's only reason for doing this is because he thinks fans will have his back... and I don't know, maybe they will? But he always struck me as being a bit narcissistic and he may over time find out the hard way that he doesn't have the following he thinks he deserves

"Verbal agreement"
Yeah, sorry kiddo, welcome to the real world.
Physical contracts or bust

Unlike written contracts, verbal agreements are far more complex to provide evidence for.

A verbal contract will certainly hold up in court if you have the required evidence to prove it existed in the first place.

@Scapetti I can understand that. He has a way of communicating that can come off as arrogant. That does bother me but I can still believe his enthusiasm is genuine. I get if others can't though.

As for the lawsuit, I don't have much of an opinion. His case seems weak seeing as it's a new show and nothing was in writing. I'm not supporting that aspect of the story in particular. But my main point was just that this could be a bad sign for the direction of the Richter show. I hope I'll be proven wrong on that.

@Splodge I was just disappointed to see no references to the NES game or its music... it became generic vampire stuff

@Einherjar While I agree, as someone how values honesty and integrity in other people: If there was indeed a verbal agreement, this is ***** of the other parties involved.

@noobish_hat
It bleeds into the show itself because “squabbling among themselves like adolescent highschool cliques” is how I’d describe the bulk of the series just more edgier.

@MegaVel91 Sure, but here in Germany, we have a saying:
"Bei Geld hört die Freundschaft auf"
(Friendship ends when money is involved)

These people are professionals, they should act like one.
"Verbal agreements" never replace contractual obligations and "values" don't make money.
And at the end of the day, that's why they're there.

As cruel as it is, this is business. You either play all of your cards right, or someone else does.

Unless the agreement was actually written down on a contract, there's not much he can honestly say that will hold up in court unless he actually recorded them having this conversation; the legal system doesn't care for "verbal agreements" with how easy they are to forge without evidence. It sucks but that's just how it is.

That moment when Konami can’t even make a Netflix series without screwing it up

First time I ever saw Shankar was in an interview with Screen Junkies. He came off as a pretentious douchebag. Can't stand him.

@The_New_Butler It’s doubtful it will be good without him. Once you’re familiar with his body of work, it’s clear this is his baby and anyone else is going to mess it up.

Yea, I really don't care about this. Every creative project has some kind of drama behind the scenes. And I'd rather it stay there (unless it's something illegal, in which case alert the authorities, not me). All I care about is a quality product. And Netflix has had a lot more misses than hits in the last few years.

@faint
How skilled are the others at writing petty bickering?

Honestly don’t care. Should have had a contract period. I thought the last two seasons were Blehhhh anyways.

@Einherjar Not everyone has the time nor the inclination to “lawyer up” for every conversation, meeting, or project proposal. Verbal contracts are a thing for a reason in THE REAL WORLD.

@scannerdarkly7 Maybe for the better the original has some parts I didn't care for but it being a show based on an NES game it is probably better than it should've been.

@Spiders And you see how well that goes...
You don't need to "lawyer up" either...you need a printer and a pen...

You create a written contract, sign it and presto, you have something to refer to later. It really isn't rocket science and prevents amateur mistakes like the one in the article.

Because ironically enough, forging a proper contract would have prevented the need to lawyer up now

Great. Now they're going to ruin Rondo of Blood too. Oh well, I don't care for Castlevania anymore. I've got the games to play =D

Never have a verbal agreement, unless your record it somehow.

@SalvorHardin Wait… Do you think producers write dialogue?

Since when verbal agreements holds in court?

@Einherjar We don’t know what he has... could be texts or emails that will substitute. Or it could in fact be an off-the-comment at a lunch which would not hold up as a verbal contract.

Again, verbal contracts are a thing because they can hold weight if they’re solid. If you’re trying to up-jump a passing conversation into a verbal agreement, good luck!

Really I just take umbrage with the “real world” comment. The real world is messy and dynamic and requires multiple solutions to myriad problems. Having your word be your bond and be recognized in a court of law is a powerful tool for a free and functional society.

@Gus_Campos https://contract-law.laws.com/contract-law/verbal-contracts

All the time. If it’s a legit claim, you can likely prove it. If it’s not, it won’t hold up.

@Spiders And again, you see how well that worked out.
You're free to think whatever you like.
All i can say from professional experience:
Do business on paper or don't do business at all.

@Einherjar I can say from professional experience as well from only a couple of months ago. If there is any substance to it, it ought to be provable. Maybe it’s a US/UK thing.

Either way, if we ever end up doing business, you bring the pens.