After years of contention, a resolution has been reached in the legal feud surrounding the depiction of Ana de Armas in the trailer for the film Yesterday.
Following the release of Yesterday, a dispute emerged involving two ardent fans of Ana de Armas. They took legal action against Universal Studios, alleging that the studio's decision to showcase de Armas in the film's trailer, despite her absence from the final cut, constituted false advertising.
Variety magazine reports that Peter Rosza and Conor Woulfe, the plaintiffs in the case, recently reached a settlement with Universal Studios. This settlement marks the culmination of a legal battle initiated in 2022, during which Rosza and Woulfe contended that they had been misled into renting the film on a platform for $3.99.
Both devoted followers of the Cuban actress known for her roles in Blade Runner 2049, Daggers in the Back, and No Time to Die, Rosza and Woulfe rented the film with the anticipation of seeing de Armas on screen. However, their disappointment was palpable upon discovering that her scenes had been excised from the final version of the film, despite being prominently featured in the trailer.
Directed by Danny Boyle, Yesterday narrates the tale of a singer-songwriter who discovers he is the sole individual who remembers The Beatles' existence. De Armas was slated to portray a romantic interest in the film, yet her scenes failed to make the final cut, despite being showcased in the promotional material.
The lawsuit leveled against Universal Studios alleged false advertising. In defense, Universal argued that film trailers are artistic expressions entitled to protection under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Federal Judge Stephen Wilson deliberated on the matter, determining that while trailers indeed constitute commercial speech and are thus subject to false advertising regulations, the plaintiffs were not entitled to the million-dollar damages they sought.
