Eva Green won a High Court case concerning her $1 million (£810,000) fee for a sci-fi film that was never produced. The heroine of Casino Royale filed a lawsuit against White Lantern Film, claiming she was owed the sum after the film was canceled due to a bitter dispute between producers.
White Lantern asserted that her “unreasonable demands” disrupted the production of the film A Patriot.
The company stated that it is “disappointed by today’s judgment and the court’s findings” and that it is weighing its options, which may include an appeal.
During a January trial, text messages in which Ms. Green referred to one producer as a “moron” and another as “evil” were revealed.
White Lantern asserted that her “unreasonable demands” disrupted the production of the film A Patriot.
Justice Green ruled on Friday that the 42-year-old actress was entitled to her fee and disregarded White Lantern’s counterclaim.
He stated that Ms. Green “did not renounce her obligations” under her contract, as alleged by White Lantern, “nor did she commit any repudiatory breaches of it.”
Mr. Justice Green added,
“There is no dispute that Ms. Green did not make a definitive decision or declaration that she would not comply with her obligations under the artist agreement.”
No reasonable person could have imagined her making such a decision. Nonetheless, the judge characterized Ms. Green as “in some ways a frustrating and unsatisfying witness.”
‘Under-prepared for her evidence’
In January, the actress was questioned regarding messages she sent about the filmmakers, including one in which she called two of them “weak and stupid.”
Eva Green explained her remark by informing the court,
“Sometimes my Frenchness comes out. Occasionally, you say things you do not truly intend. They are not, of course, feeble and stupid.”
Mr. Justice Green continued in his ruling,
“For such an artistic perfectionist, she was surprisingly unprepared for her testimony.”
He stated that he comprehended “how torturous it must have been for her to have all of her private texts and WhatsApp messages made public.”
“She claimed it was ‘humiliating,’ but some of her explanations for the language she used and the emotions she expressed were not credible or adequate,” he said.
“However, I believe allowances should be made for the heightened emotions that were clearly present when some of the messages were written, as well as the fact that these were assumed to be the private correspondence between friends that would never have been envisioned to be viewed by anyone else and certainly not analyzed to the extent that they were.”
“Assaulted by hounds”
Eva Green told the court that she was dissatisfied with the producers after budget cutbacks forced production to relocate from Ireland and “chaotic” preparations ensued.
She also criticized what she deemed to be cost-cutting, such as the “extremely dangerous” reduction in her stunt training, and the personnel being paid “significantly” less than industry standards.
It was discovered that in another text message, Ms. Green referred to crew members as “Hampshire peasants.”
She told the judge,
“I have nothing against farmers.” I did not wish to collaborate with a subpar team. I desired to collaborate with a high-quality crew that was content with standard industry rates.”
Mr. Justice Green determined that, despite the fact that Ms. Green “may have said some extremely unpleasant things” about the producers and crew, “this was motivated by a genuine fear that any film… would be of very poor quality.”
Following the verdict, the actress issued a statement declaring that her “professional reputation has been upheld.”
During the trial, media coverage of her statements and actions “felt like being attacked by hounds,” she said.
“I was misrepresented, quoted out of context, and my desire to create the best film possible was portrayed as female hysteria.” “It was cruel and false,” she stated.
“As a result of this case, it is no longer a secret that I am mildly terrified of public speaking, that I do not comprehend technical financial structures, that I am fragile in the face of aggression, that I am passionate about my work, and that my heart breaks when people are cruel.”
She added,
“I fought tooth and nail to defend the beautiful film that I loved and had signed on for.”
During the trial, White Lantern asserted that Ms. Green’s “expectations for the film were incompatible with its budget” and that she “consistently made unreasonable demands” regarding the personnel, locations, and equipment.
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