A popular actress has become the target of a business lawsuit after she allegedly walked out on a film production. Evan Rachel Wood, known for her role in “The Wrestler,” is accused of breach of contract after she removed herself from the staff of “10 Things I Hate About Life.” The California star had apparently been paid $300,000 for her role in the project, but she allegedly refused to continue her role in the project, according to a suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The producers argue that the actress only worked for 11 days’ worth of principal photography, even though she should have been on set for a seven-week stint. She is being accused of causing the contract dispute because she demanded additional money before she would return to work. Now, the producers are seeking $30 million from the embattled actress.
Wood’s legal representative is calling the lawsuit a “bullying tactic” from producers who have found themselves in financial straits. News reports indicate that the production was canned in 2013 when the producers’ funding ran out. That representative said that Wood was ready to return to filming late that year; however, she was never paid, and the producers were unable to get their project back in the black.
It is important for businesses and private entities to ensure that their contract obligations are properly spelled out in legal documents before such a project begins. This contract dispute may have arisen because neither party anticipated problems with funding the production. Those who do violate the terms of their professional contracts — no matter the industry — should be held responsible through civil litigation.
Source: Yahoo! News, “Evan Rachel Wood Sued for $30 Million Over Breach of Contract” The Hollywood Reporter, Jun. 06, 2014
