'Exploited to enormous financial success': Bonnie Aarons takes on Warner Bros. over The Nun merchandising profits

It seems the horrors of Warner Bros.' "The Nun" have transcended the silver screen. The face of terror itself, actress Bonnie Aarons, who portrayed the titular Demon Nun, has launched a lawsuit against Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and Scope Productions LLC, claiming she's been shortchanged in the profits. With a dark twist, the story reveals a terrifying tale of hidden numbers, unfulfilled promises, and a spooky lack of transparency.

A Legal Nightmare

According to a report by THR, the lawsuit accuses the studios of breach of contract and more, claiming they "exploited the talent, creativity, and likeness of Bonnie Aarons... to enormous financial success" but failed to compensate her properly. Aarons' initial "fixed compensation" of $71,500, with additional box office bonuses of $175,000, seems to have been overshadowed by a cloud of uncertainty regarding the merchandising revenue.

"Instead of accounting and payment in a transparent fashion," the lawsuit eerily alleges, "Warner Bros. obscures and hides the true amount of Ms. Aarons' rightful share of merchandising revenues, all while continuing to exploit her." The allegation turns the spotlight not just on the horror hit's production but on the shadowy corners of Hollywood's accounting practices.

A $365 Million Mystery

"The Nun" stands as a ghoulish triumph for Warner Bros., raking in a staggering $365 million worldwide after its 2018 release. It's the highest-grossing movie in the successful Conjuring universe. Yet, the lawsuit haunts the studios with claims that figures relating to merchandising are less transparent.

Between May 12, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2022, Warner Bros. allegedly sent inconsistent statements showing Aarons' share of merchandising revenue, in contrast with "the extensive merchandising activities by Warner Bros. for Ms. Aarons' character." Efforts to obtain further documentation were met with silence, a chilling response that only thickens the plot.

A sequel to "The Nun," appropriately named "The Nun II," with Aarons reprising her role as the Demon Nun, is set to creep into theaters on Sept. 8. But this legal battle is likely to cast a shadow over the film's release, as Aarons seeks what she believes is rightfully hers.

Whether this tale of alleged deceit and exploitation will result in justice for the Demon Nun or end in another Hollywood horror story remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: the legal drama surrounding "The Nun" has proven to be as gripping as the film itself.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)