“Proud Mary” film's producers respond to John Fogerty's complaint over the use of his famous song's title

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ABC/Paul Hebert

ABC/Paul HebertOn Thursday, John Fogerty posted a message online revealing that he was upset that the name of his classic Creedence Clearwater Revival song “Proud Mary” was being used as the title for a new movie about a hitwoman, and that altered lyrics from the tune appear on the poster promoting the film. ABC Radio has now obtained a statement from Screen Gems, the producer of Proud Mary, responding to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s complaint, which also maintained that his song’s message was completely different from that of the movie.

“We would love Mr. Fogerty to come see the film,” Screen Gems notes. “He would see that his complaint that the film has nothing to do with the song’s message as ‘a metaphor about leaving painful, stressful things behind for a more tranquil and meaningful life’ is inaccurate. That is precisely what our Mary is looking to do, and [Proud Mary star] Taraji [P. Henson] nails it perfectly.”

A rep for Screen Gems also tells ABC Radio that the film company worked closely with the music publisher of “Proud Mary,” and had fully cleared the rights to use the song, as well as its title and lyrics, in the movie and its marketing.

The Proud Mary film tells the story of a hired killer portrayed by Henson who undergoes a change of heart about her chosen occupation.

In his statement, posted on his official Facebook page, Fogerty wrote, “It irks me when people seek to capitalize on the popularity of my music and the good will it has earned with the public for their own financial gain…This movie has nothing to do with me, or my song.”

He also maintained that the meaning behind the song was “[f]ar from a story about killing people for money.”

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