Sony settlement for fabricated reviews

Sony Pictures has reached a settlement to pay out £850,000 to a group of cinemagoers who accused the studio of using quotes from a fabricated film reviewer to promote movies.

In 2001, two film fans decided to sue Sony Pictures, claiming to have been swayed by the quotes of the fictitious Dave Manning, who was said to belong to The Ridgefield Press in Connecticut.

The films that came under question included The Animal, starring Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo actor Rob Schneider, which had the description "the producing team of 'Big Daddy' has delivered another winner".

Meanwhile, for A Knight's Tale, starring Paul Bettany, the lead actor Heath Ledger was described as "this year's hottest new star!".

Other films involved in the case were Hollow Man, with Kevin Bacon and Elisabeth Shue, Vertical Limit and The Patriot.

Cinemagoers who attended a screening of one of the films are now being offered a £2.80 refund for their ticket.

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