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Jul 12, 2023

Former Bond Girl Eva Green Wins $1 Million Over Failed Movie 'A Patriot'

She was accused of interfering with the film's success, but a court said

She was accused of interfering with the film's success, but a court said otherwise.

Even though A Patriot never made it to theatres, actress Eva Green is still walking away with a sizeable pay check after filing a lawsuit with London's High Court earlier in the year.

Eva launched the lawsuit against White Lantern, a productive company, which worked with Sherborne Media Finance to fund the film. Once the movie was axed, Sherborne Media Finance absorbed White Lantern.

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When Eva signed on to the project, she signed a "pay or play" contract, which states she’d get paid even if filming doesn't commence.

Things reportedly began to collapse in 2019 when financing for A Patriot fell through. The film's budget was apparently reduced to $10 million to try and cut costs, but this raised concerns that it was becoming a low-quality production and its reception would suffer.

When the movie was officially cancelled, Eva expected to receive her $1 million fee. However, the actress claims the fee was withheld from her despite being rightfully owed, prompting her to launch the lawsuit.

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In response to Eva's lawsuit, the companies launched a counter-claim against her, alleging she tried to intentionally interfere with the movie's success. They claimed her main motive was to undermine the project so she could buy the script and produce it herself. Their complaint accused the actress of "conspiracy, deceit and unlawful interference."

However, the court eventually sided with Eva and granted her the $1 million fee. The judge, Justice Michael Green, also dismissed the countersuit against her.

White Lantern and Sherbourne released a statement following the judge's ruling, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome.

"We are naturally disappointed by today's judgment and the court's findings," the companies jointly stated. "We are carefully considering our options as to potential next steps, including appeal."

"The suggestion Eva Green has made today that this legal action was motivated by or represented gender-based bullying is completely unwarranted," it continued. "It does not reflect the judgment in any way, nor the evidence that was heard at court."

"Eva Green filed a lawsuit to be paid $1 million for a film which was not made and for which she did not provide any acting services.," the statement went on. "The evidence presented at court and about which Ms Green now complains were things that she herself wrote and said. Her comments, emails and WhatsApps were examined in order to establish whether she intended to quit the project, or would have proceeded with it."

So far, the companies have yet to appeal the court's decision.

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Sources: Variety, Hindustan Times,

Alexandra is a freelance writer based in Montreal, Quebec. She loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer re-runs, being a plant mom, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Follow her post-grad adventures on Instagram @AlexandraSakellariou or on Twitter @AlmostAlexandra.