Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 6, 2014 6:17:21 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/film/news/evan-rachel-wood-sued-for-30-million-for-bailing-on-10-things-i-hate-about-life-1201214620/
Evan Rachel Wood has been sued by producers for more than $30 million over her alleged refusal to continue working on the indie comedy “10 Things I Hate About Life.”
But the actress has brushed off the suit, filed in Los Angeles Super Court, asserting that the suit is “preposterous” and that she stopped working after the producers had failed to pay her.
The production company 10 Things Films LLC today filed the suit Thursday in state court in Los Angeles, alleging a breach of written agreement and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Along with Wood, the suit also named As You Wish Productions, a loan out company that provides Wood’s professional services.
“Plaintiff has suffered significant and extensive damages and financial harm, including, but not limited to, the loss of, a minimum, $6 million equity investments, costs and related expenses in the Picture, financing costs and expenses in the amount of, at a minimum, $500,000.00, lost profits in the amount of, at a minimum, $20 million and additional general and special damages in the amount of $5 million.”
Reps for Wood blasted back at the suit in a statement that accused the producers of breaching the contract.
“The lawsuit is preposterous and simply a bullying tactic from financially troubled producers,” the statement said. “The production shut down in February 2013 when the producers ran out of money. Even after that, Evan agreed to resume production in Nov. 2013 by which time the producers said they would have cleared up their issues.”
“However, the producers still could not get their act together, nor did they pay Evan money that was owed. Repeated subsequent promises by the producers to resume production and pay Evan also turned out to be false. Enough is enough. The producers, not Evan, have breached contract.”
The suit alleged that the production company paid Wood $300,000 for a seven-week shoot that began on Dec. 17, 2012. The producers assert that they then exercised their contractual right to halt production briefly four weeks later on Jan. 14 but were then informed by Wood that she would be unable to shoot again until November.
Producers attempted to re-start “10 Things I Hate About Life” late last year. Vision Films represented the film both internationally and domestically, screening about 30 minutes of footage at the American Film Market last November and asserting that filming would start again in December. Polaris Pictures’ Jeremy Wall had arranged for the financing with investor Legacy Point Capital helmed by Anne Brensley.
But, according to the suit, Wood allegedly refused to work any further on the film at that point, asserting that she had fulfilled the contract, and demanded more money. Even after agreement to pay Wood additional funds, Wood again allegedly refused to return to the film.
Thomas McDonell stars opposite Wood. Andrew Lazar is producing with Gil Junger directing the follow-up to his 1999 film, “Ten Things I Hate About You,” which starred Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“10 Things I Hate about Life” is the comedic story of a boy and girl who meet and fall in love – just when they are about to kill themselves — as their similar emotional state forms a bond that draws them both into happiness and takes them on a rollercoaster ride.
Evan Rachel Wood has been sued by producers for more than $30 million over her alleged refusal to continue working on the indie comedy “10 Things I Hate About Life.”
But the actress has brushed off the suit, filed in Los Angeles Super Court, asserting that the suit is “preposterous” and that she stopped working after the producers had failed to pay her.
The production company 10 Things Films LLC today filed the suit Thursday in state court in Los Angeles, alleging a breach of written agreement and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Along with Wood, the suit also named As You Wish Productions, a loan out company that provides Wood’s professional services.
“Plaintiff has suffered significant and extensive damages and financial harm, including, but not limited to, the loss of, a minimum, $6 million equity investments, costs and related expenses in the Picture, financing costs and expenses in the amount of, at a minimum, $500,000.00, lost profits in the amount of, at a minimum, $20 million and additional general and special damages in the amount of $5 million.”
Reps for Wood blasted back at the suit in a statement that accused the producers of breaching the contract.
“The lawsuit is preposterous and simply a bullying tactic from financially troubled producers,” the statement said. “The production shut down in February 2013 when the producers ran out of money. Even after that, Evan agreed to resume production in Nov. 2013 by which time the producers said they would have cleared up their issues.”
“However, the producers still could not get their act together, nor did they pay Evan money that was owed. Repeated subsequent promises by the producers to resume production and pay Evan also turned out to be false. Enough is enough. The producers, not Evan, have breached contract.”
The suit alleged that the production company paid Wood $300,000 for a seven-week shoot that began on Dec. 17, 2012. The producers assert that they then exercised their contractual right to halt production briefly four weeks later on Jan. 14 but were then informed by Wood that she would be unable to shoot again until November.
Producers attempted to re-start “10 Things I Hate About Life” late last year. Vision Films represented the film both internationally and domestically, screening about 30 minutes of footage at the American Film Market last November and asserting that filming would start again in December. Polaris Pictures’ Jeremy Wall had arranged for the financing with investor Legacy Point Capital helmed by Anne Brensley.
But, according to the suit, Wood allegedly refused to work any further on the film at that point, asserting that she had fulfilled the contract, and demanded more money. Even after agreement to pay Wood additional funds, Wood again allegedly refused to return to the film.
Thomas McDonell stars opposite Wood. Andrew Lazar is producing with Gil Junger directing the follow-up to his 1999 film, “Ten Things I Hate About You,” which starred Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“10 Things I Hate about Life” is the comedic story of a boy and girl who meet and fall in love – just when they are about to kill themselves — as their similar emotional state forms a bond that draws them both into happiness and takes them on a rollercoaster ride.