The Nun may be the most successful movie in the entire Conjuring Universe to date, but its star attraction feels Warner Bros. has potentially short-changed her.
Bonnie Aarons, who plays the titular demonic Nun known as Valak in the 2018 film and the upcoming sequel is suing Warner Bros. as she claims it has hidden the true amount of merchandise sold related to her character, thus depriving her of the correct share that her contract stated she would get. Overall, Aarons is suing for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and accounting.
As reported in The Guardian, Aarons filed the complaint filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles superior court. It names not only Warner Bros, but also New Line Cinema, and Scope Productions. Aarons alleges that she was paid fixed compensation of $71,500 to play her role in The Nun, as well as a $175,000 bonus that was tied to box office performance (which she naturally got given the movie’s success). It is said to also include that she would receive a share of Warner Bros’ gross receipts from merchandise exploiting her likeness. According to the suit it was agreed Aarons would receive a pro-rata share of 5% of 50% of the gross receipts from the licensing of merchandising rights.
They Don’t Want to Share Nun
So basically, given Bonnie Aaron’s actual face is the face of Valak, any time there’s a bedsheet, cup, coaster, or plush toy with Valak’s haunting visage on it, then Aaarons should be entitled to her fair cut.
The suit goes on to allege that between 2019 and 2022, Warner Bros. sent written statements of her share of merchandise revenue that Aarons felt did not measure up with what it actually should have been. The suit then says that when Warner Bros. was asked to provide more details, Aarons was sent a spreadsheet that appeared to omit certain lines of merchandise.
The timing of the suit is no doubt a deliberate move with Valak about to be thrust back into the public eye again with the release of The Nun 2 on September 8, 2023.
