Ryan Wiik
{{short description|Norwegian actor and entrepreneur (born 1981)}}
{{Inadequate lead|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox person
|image = Ryan Wiik in 2007.jpg
|image_caption = Wiik at a Hollywood red-carpet event in 2007
|birth_name = Gunnar Ryan Wiik
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|23}}
|birth_place =
|yearsactive = 2005 – present
|occupation = actor, entrepreneur
}}
Gunnar Ryan Wiik{{needs IPA|Norwegian|lang=no}} (born September 23, 1981) is a Norwegian actor and entrepreneur. Wiik resides in Los Angeles, California.
Biography
Wiik grew up in the seaside town of Drøbak, Norway.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/features/morgan-kane-movie-1202506242/|title=Meet the Norwegian Cowboy Being Chased by 300 Angry Investors Over a Failed Western|last=Maddaus|first=Gene|date=16 July 2017|work=Variety|accessdate=18 Nov 2017}} In 2007, Wiik appeared as Jason in the thriller Timber Falls.{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bdce59f0b |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207125247/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bdce59f0b |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |title=Ryan Wiik |author= |date= |website=British Film Institute |access-date=7 February 2018 }}
In September 2009, Wiik co-founded WR Entertainment with James F. Cardwell, Duane M. Eberlein, Alan E. Bell, Michael Joseph Smith, Øyvind Holm-Johnsen, and Steinar Larsen.{{cite web|title=WR Entertainment|url=http://www.widerelease.com/company/faqs/|website=Wide Release Entertainment}} On May 9, 2011, Daily Variety announced that WR Entertainment (through its subsidiary WR Films Entertainment Group) had acquired the motion-picture rights to all 83 novels in the best-selling Morgan Kane series, which had sold more than 20 million books to date.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/wr-saddles-up-for-kane-westerns-1118036570/|title=WR saddles up for Kane Westerns|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=9 May 2011|work=Variety|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|last=Stavrum|first=Gunnar|title=Norske milliardærer satser på Morgan Kane|url=http://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/innenriks/norske-milliardrer-satser-pa-morgan-kane/3423204698.html|website=Nettavisen|language=no|date=18 March 2016|accessdate=11 October 2017}} In January 2016, Wiik announced that he intended to star as the lead role in the planned Morgan Kane films, but later failed his audition.{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/magasinet/2017/05/19/1739/Dokumentar/mannen-som-ville-vaere-morgan-kane|title=Mannen som ville være Morgen Kane|trans-title=The man who wanted to be Morgan Kane|last=Sæter|first=Kjetil|date=20 May 2017|publisher=Dagens Næringsliv|language=no|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/07/26/1153/Film/motsoksmal-i-morgan-kane-striden-latterlig-og-skamlost-svarer-wr-sjefen|title=Motsøksmål i Morgan Kane-striden: – Latterlig og skamløst, svarer WR-sjefen|trans-title=Countersuit in the Morgan Kane-battle: – Ridiculous and shameless, the WR-boss responds|last=Johannessen|first=Stian Øvrebø|date=26 July 2017|publisher=Dagens Næringsliv|language=no|accessdate=3 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.side3.no/norske-gunnar-wiik-blir-verdenskjent-som-morgan-kane/3423179717.html|title=Norske Ryan Wiik blir verdenskjent som "Morgan Kane"|trans-title=Norwegian Ryan Wiik will become world famous as "Morgan Kane"|last=Stavrum|first=Gunnar|author-link=Gunnar Stavrum|date=12 January 2016|website=Nettavisen.no|language=no|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|last=Ripegutu|first=Halvor|title=Nordmannen Ryan Wiik fjernet som Morgan Kane|trans-title=Norwegian Ryan Wiik removed as Morgan Kane|url=http://www.nettavisen.no/na24/nordmannen-ryan-wiik-fjernet-som-morgan-kane/3423288917.html|language=no|accessdate=11 October 2017}}
On January 13, 2016, WR Entertainment became a publicly traded company on the Oslo Stock Exchange Merkur Market under the name WR Entertainment ASA.{{cite web|url=http://www.dn.no/etterBors/2016/01/15/1734/Merkur-Market/tapte-320-mill-p-n-brsdag|title=Tapte 320 mill. på én børsdag|trans-title=Lost 320 million on one trading day|last=Eckblad|first=Bjørn|date=15 January 2016|language=no|publisher=DN.no|accessdate=11 October 2017}} Two months later, a private placement took place.{{cite web|url=https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/innenriks/norske-milliardrer-satser-pa-morgan-kane/3423204698.html|title=Norske milliardærer satser på Morgan Kane|last=Stavrum|first=Gunnar|date=18 Mar 2016|work=Nettavisen|accessdate=18 Nov 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/nyheter/finans/2016/03/18/0854/Investeringer/kjos-inn-i-morgan-kaneselskap|title=Kjos inn i Morgan Kane selskap|last=Ekeseth|first=Fredrich Chr.|date=18 Mar 2016|work=DN|accessdate=18 Nov 2017}}
In December 2016, Wiik resigned from WR in response to a group of shareholders seeking his and Chairman James F. Cardwell's removal from the company. This process was later chronicled by WR investor Jan Henry Løken in VG's documentary The Ballad of Morgan Kane. Wiik stated in a press release that he resigned because of "creative differences." Cardwell was later voted out by the shareholders at an EGM.{{cite news|last=Strandli|first=Are|title=Gründer takker for seg|trans-title=Gründer thanks himself|url=https://finansavisen.no/nyheter/boers-finans/2016/12/gruender-takker-for-seg|language=no|date=13 December 2016|accessdate=9 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nettavisen.no/na24/styreleder-og-hovedrolleinnhaver-ute-av-styret/3423293085.html|title=Styreleder og hovedrolleinnhaver ute av styret|last=Ripegutu|first=Halvor|date=14 Dec 2016|work=Nettavisen|accessdate=18 Nov 2017}}
Litigation
In March 2017, Wiik filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against WR's CEO, Tasmin Lucia-Khan. The suit, including allegations of defamation and sexual manipulation, made international headlines.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/ryan-wiik-morgan-kane-wr-entertainment-tasmin-lucia-khan-1202009719|title=Norwegian cowboy actor claims CEO seduced and betrayed him|last=Maddaus|first=Gene|date=15 March 2017|work=Variety|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/producer-claims-ceo-sexually-manipulated-him-take-control-his-company-986140|title=Producer Claims CEO Sexually Manipulated Him to Take Control of the Company|last=Cullins|first=Ashley|date=15 March 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=11 October 2017}} Lucia-Khan filed a series of motions to quash service and an anti-SLAPP motion against Wiik.{{cite news|url=https://finansavisen.no/nyheter/boers-finans/2017/09/morgan-kane-sjef-soeksmaalet-er-userioest|title=Morgan Kane-sjef: Søksmålet er useriøst|trans-title=Morgan Kane boss: The Lawsuit is Unserious|date=28 September 2017|accessdate=9 October 2020}}{{cite news|url=http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/wr-entertainment/wr-entertainment-sjefen-gaar-til-motsoeksmaal-mot-omstridt-morgan-kane-gr-nder/24151446/|title=Går til motsøksmål mot omstridt Morgan Kane-gründer|language=no|date=28 September 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/09/28/1153/Film/morgan-kane-sjef-slar-tilbake-mot-soksmal|title=Morgan Kane-sjef slår tilbake mot søksmål|trans-title=Morgan Kane boss hits back in Court|language=no|date=28 September 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}
In June 2017 WR Entertainment filed a suit against Wiik for multiple counts of fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Wiik filed a cross-complaint with multiple claims of breach of contract and fraud.{{cite news|url=https://e24.no/boers-og-finans/oslo-boers/morgan-kane-gr-nder-krever-90-millioner-kroner/24104503|title=Morgan Kane Founder Claims 90 Million Kroner|last=Gran Svenningsen|first=Christian|website=E24.no|language=no|date=26 July 2017|accessdate=28 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/06/20/0744/Jus/morgan-kane-selskap-saksoker-grunderen|title=Morgan Kane-selskap saksøker gründeren|trans-title=Morgan Kane company sues the founder|language=no|date=20 June 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/aksjer/full-strid-om-morgan-kane-selskapet-saksoeker-grunnleggeren/24077416/|title=Full strid om Morgan Kane: Selskapet saksøker grunnleggeren|trans-title=Full controversy about Morgan Kane: The company sues the founder|last=Lorentzen|first=Marius|language=no|website=E24.no|date=9 May 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}} In July 2017, WR Entertainment obtained an injunction from Oslo District Court ({{langx|no|Oslo tingrett}}) to freeze 18.7 million shares of stock in Wiik's name, pending outcome of WR's fraud claim filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/07/07/1110/Film/laser-morgan-kane-aksjene-til-ryan-wiik|title=Låser Morgan Kane aksjene til Ryan Wiik|trans-title=Morgan Kane lends shares to Ryan Wiik|work=Dagens Næringsliv|language=no|date=7 July 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/wr-entertainment/oslo-tingrett-fryser-morgan-kane-gr-nderens-aksjer/24091748/|title=Oslo tingrett fryser Morgan Kane grunderens aksjer|trans-title=Oslo District Court freezes Morgan Kane founders shares|website=E24.no|language=no|date=7 July 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://finansavisen.no/nyheter/boers-finans/2017/07/maa-levere-tilbake-cowboyaksjer|title=Må levere tilbake cowboyaksjer|trans-title=Must return cowboy shares|last=Jacobsen|first=Stian|language=no|date=7 July 2017|accessdate=9 October 2020}}
Wiik appealed to the Borgarting Court of Appeal ({{langx|no|Borgarting lagmannsrett}}).{{cite news|url=http://e24.no/lov-og-rett/wr-entertainment/morgan-kane-gr-nder-anker-aksjefrys/24157275/|title=Morgan Kane anker aksjefrys|language=no|date=6 October 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/10/06/0623/Film/na-har-morgan-kane-grunderen-anket|title=Nå har Morgan Kane grunderen anket|date=6 October 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/08/24/2059/Jus/duell-i-retten-rundt-morgan-kane-aksjer|title=Duell i retten rundt Morgan Kane aksjer|trans-title=Duell in court around Morgan Kane shares|work=Dagens Næringsliv|language=no|date=24 August 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2017/09/05/1243/Tv/sviende-nederlag-for-morgan-kane-grunder|title=Sviende nederlag for Morgan Kane-gründer|work=Dagens Næringsliv|date=5 September 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://e24.no/lov-og-rett/wr-entertainment/morgan-kane-gr-nder-tapte-i-retten-aksjeposten-fortsatt-frosset/24134056/|title=Morgan Kane-gründer tapte i retten – aksjeposten fortsatt frosset|trans-title=Morgan Kane founder back in court – stock are still frozen|website=E24.no|language=no|date=9 May 2017|accessdate=11 October 2017}} The Borgarting Court of Appeal upheld the injunction where the 18.7 million shares would be frozen until Los Angeles County Superior Court had made their ruling.{{cite web|url=https://finansavisen.no/nyheter/boers-finans/2017/12/cowboysagaen-wiik-anke-avvist|title=Cowboysagaen: Wiik-anke avvist|website=finansavisen.no|first=Are |last=Strandli|publisher=}}
In December 2017, Ryan Wiik reported a WR shareholder to the police for reckless behavior due to him posting parodic and satiric photos of Wiik.{{cite news|url=https://e24.no/boers-og-finans/wr-entertainment/morgan-kane-saken-ryan-wiik-anmelder-smaaaksjonaer/24217515|title=Ryan Wiik reports shareholder|last=Østbø|first=Stein|website=E24.no|language=no|date=22 December 2017|accessdate=28 January 2018}}
On February 13, 2018, it was announced that a settlement had been reached between Wiik, WR Entertainment, and WR's CEO Lucia-Khan, where the pending lawsuits between the parties would be dismissed, and that Wiik had agreed to return the disputed 18.7 million shares back to WR Entertainment.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/search.do?messageId=444085|title=Settlement of lawsuits against Gunnar Ryan Wiik and Sissel Wiik|website=newsweb.no|language=en|date=13 February 2018|accessdate=19 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.no/etterBors/2018/02/13/0713/Jus/borshopp-for-morgan-kane-selskap-etter-at-forlik-satte-stopper-for-betent-konflikt|title=Børshopp for Morgan Kane-selskap etter at forlik satte stopper for betent konflikt|trans-title=Stock Exchange increase for Morgan Kane-company after a settlement stopped bitter conflict|work=Dagens Næringsliv|language=no|date=13 February 2018|accessdate=19 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://e24.no/boers-og-finans/wr-entertainment/begraver-stridsoeksen-i-morgen-kane-strid/24258547|title=Begraver stridsøksen i Morgen Kane-konflikt|trans-title=Burying the battle axe in the Morgan Kane-conflict|website=E24.no|language=no|date=13 February 2018|accessdate=19 February 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|2416875}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiik, Ryan}}
Category:Norwegian male film actors