Jim Carrey 'Kick-Ass 2' Contract May Have Been Violated But Likely Just A 'Wrst Slap' From Studio [Video]
Jim Carrey might not be able to avoid his promotional duties as the premiere date for "Kick-Ass 2" approaches this August. He recently said he couldn't "in good conscience" support the film after Sandy Hook.
Carrey had taken to Twitter to absolve himself of the film because the violence in the superhero flick didn't sit well with him after the tragic deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School a month after filming wrapped.
I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence. My apologies to e
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 23, 2013
Carrey seemed apologetic in his final tweet about the film, clearly delineating his comments from being ashamed of the production of the film, but he couldnt support it upon its release.
I meant to say my apologies to others involve with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart. — Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 23, 2013
Unfortunately, Jim Carrey may have violated his contract.
Experts told FOX411's Pop Tarts column that Jim's tweets about the film may have happened without his knowledge of the legal ramifications such messages could incur.
Hollywood producer. Gary Michael Walters dold FOX411's Pop Tart's column:
"Publicity, promotion and marketing are just as important to the success of a film as the quality of the film itself, and it is crucial for a distributor to tightly control all aspects of the branding and imaging of the film.
"The support of the actors and director in promoting a film is extremely helpful, indeed vital, and studios and financers almost always require their key talent to do a certain amount of publicity for their movies.
"At a minimum, an actor contract would provide that the talent could not do publicity without studio approval and there is generally a non-disparagement provision as well."
A few well-placed industry insiders said Carrey is likely in breach of his contract, but because of the emotions surrounding such a polarizing issue, like Sandy Hook, he's likely to get just a slap on the wrist.
Another addendum to most actor's contracts is they can't say anything negative about the film.
In that regards, Universal Pictures could go after him for damages, but studios "generally don't make it a habit to sue A-list celebrities," and "it likely won't turn into much more than a wrist slap," said FOX11's source.
So Jim Carrey probably bought himself all sorts of possible legal troubles down the road if he continues to distance himself from a film he starred in, but it'll likely not amount to much.