Film studio Paramount Pictures has reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with British composer Sam Roman to resolve a legal dispute over songs in The Smurfs movie featuring singer Rihanna.
The agreement ends months of legal controversy surrounding two tracks created for the soundtrack of the film, music trade publication Billboard reported.
Rihanna was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but her participation in the soundtrack placed her at the center of the dispute between the songwriter and the film studio.
The conflict involved two compositions written by Roman, who performs under the artistic name RØMANS, including one track performed by Rihanna and a second performed by actor James Corden.
Paramount Pictures is a major American film studio, while Roman is a British songwriter who has composed tracks for high-profile international recording artists.
Origin of the soundtrack dispute
The legal clash dates back to 2022, when Paramount first contacted Roman to write music for the new Smurfs feature film.
According to the lawsuit filed by Roman, Paramount initially offered him the opportunity to work on a project with major global reach, promising promotion and a significant royalty package.
Roman stated that the inclusion of Rihanna was presented as a core element of the deal, leading him to expect substantial exposure from the Barbadian singer's involvement in the production.
Allegations over contracts and rights
The composer contended that the situation changed during production when Paramount informed him that the lead song would not be commercially released.
That decision significantly altered the financial expectations established during their initial talks, according to the lawsuit.
Roman alleged that formal contract negotiations were never finalized, yet Paramount proceeded to include his songs inside scenes of the completed film.
The composer accused Paramount of using his compositions without his definitive authorization and without providing the financial compensation he argued he was owed.
Box office performance and financial claims
The legal dispute escalated further after the film was released in theaters.
Roman claimed Paramount attempted to justify its failure to pay him by citing the financial costs associated with Rihanna's participation in the movie.
According to the lawsuit, the studio also blamed the commercial performance of the film, which combined live-action sequences with animation and failed to meet box office expectations.
The disappointing box office results added further friction to the legal battle over music rights management in major Hollywood productions.
Terms of the confidential agreement
Paramount Pictures and Roman have now resolved the dispute out of court, bringing an official end to the litigation.
Terms of the settlement remain confidential, and neither party has publicly disclosed any financial figures or compensation details.
The resolution allows Rihanna to move past the legal controversy, closing a chapter on the disputed soundtrack project that began during production.
