‘A Patriot’ Producers Weigh Appeal In Eva Green Case, Deny “Bully-Boy Tactics”
28.04.2023 - 17:13
/ deadline.com
Producers White Lantern Film and SMC Speciality Finance have responded to losing a high court case against actress Eva Green in the UK over the collapse of their sci-fi pic A Patriot.
In a joint statement released Friday afternoon, the producers said they are “naturally disappointed” by the ruling in the case and are “carefully considering” their options, including a potential appeal.
Later in the statement, White Lantern and SMC Speciality Finance criticize what they describe as Green’s suggestion that the legal action filed against her was “motivated by or represented gender-based bullying,” describing her claims as “completely unwarranted.”
“It does not reflect the judgment in any way, nor the evidence that was heard at court,” the statement read.
Green won the high court case against White Lantern and SMC Speciality Finance over the collapse of A Patriot Friday morning. The case stems from the collapse of the UK project in late 2019, which Green was due to star in and executive-produce. The case was essentially about determining which party was to blame for the collapse, with both parties having competing narratives on the issue.
Green, whose credits include 2006’s Casino Royale and Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City, claimed she was entitled to a $1M fee she agreed to at the outset of the project, arguing that since she had a “pay or play” contract she was owed the money regardless of the film’s collapse before cameras rolled.
White Lantern alleged that the actress’s conduct was unreasonable and in breach of her contractual obligations, so was not entitled to her fee. According to their pleading, the producer and financier SMC allege Green had no intention of completing the production, and they counterclaimed millions in