Actress Eva Green could make a “B-movie” without ending her career, her long-time agent has told the High Court in a legal battle over the fall of a sci-fi film millions of pounds.
Casino Royale actress Ms Green was set to lead the dystopian thriller A Patriot, but the production was abandoned in October 2019.
The 42-year-old is now suing production company White Lantern Film, claiming she is entitled to her million dollar (£810,000) fee for the project despite it being cancelled.
White Lantern Film is filing a counterclaim against the French actress, alleging that she undermined the independent film’s production, made “excessive creative and financial demands” and that expectations were “incompatible” with the budget movies.
Lawyers for the company and lender SMC Specialty Finance also claimed Ms Green “fraudulently” claimed she was ready and willing to make the film when she had no intention of doing so.
During her evidence on Monday, Max Mallin KC, for the production company, discussed a text message from Mr Green suggesting the film would be a “B-shitty movie” about executive producer Jake Seal.
Ms Green told the court: “When an actor appears in a B movie they’re called a B-actor, you’re never offered quality work again.”
She added that appearing in such a film could “kill my career”.
But on Friday, Charles Collier, who has been Mr Green’s agent for 17 years, told the High Court that Bond’s ex-girlfriend was “wrong”.
He said: “I heard Eva say that a B movie could be the end of her career. She’s wrong about that… She could make a B movie.”
Mr Collier, a former media lawyer, said Ms Green had never breached a contract or failed to report to work for almost two decades.
“Eva, for her sweet passion and love for this film… she never outgrew it,” Mr. Collier said later.
He continued: “If she has to make a B-movie, she has to make a B-movie. That’s her contract. If she has to do it, she has to do it.”
Mr Collier said: “A B-movie wouldn’t be the end of her career, but if she breaks her contract and doesn’t work?.. The show must go on.”
During Friday’s hearing, Mr Mallin suggested that Mr Collier had “begged” Ms Green to work on a film with Dame Judi Dench and an experienced crew, rather than working on A Patriot.
Mr Collier replied: “I certainly remember suggesting that she do another film rather than this one.
“There were times when I felt so worried about the mess of this production… I was really worried that they couldn’t make this movie.”
The agent said he “advised her to walk away” when Ms Green had the legal opportunity.
However, Mr Collier later said Ms Green had always wanted to make A Patriot, telling the court: “Every time she was given a safe way out she didn’t take it because of her love for the film.”
The trial is due to end on February 10, with a written decision expected later.