by Eva Green’s High Court battle with a production company was a “painful and hurtful” experience, the Hollywood actress said.
The Casino Royale star, who won her one-million-dollar (£810,000) fee claim for abandoned film A Patriot, said she was ‘scapegoated’ and faced ‘false accusations’ during his lawsuit against White Lantern Film.
In a statement released on Friday, the 42-year-old said the charges against her, which included claims she had undermined production of the independent film and walked out of her contract, had been “totally dismissed” by a judge.
He added: “My professional reputation has been confirmed.”
The actress continued: “In this lawsuit I was forced to stand up to a small group of men, heavily funded, who tried to use me as a scapegoat to cover up for their mistakes.
“I am proud that I stood up to their bullying tactics.
“They made false allegations about me in public court documents which the judge has now proven to be totally wrong.”
In their subsequent statement, White Lantern Film and lender SMC Specialty Finance (SMC), which filed a counterclaim against Ms. Green, said that the assumption that the lawsuit “was motivated by or represented by gender bullying is completely unjustified”.
“It does not in any way reflect the ruling, nor the evidence that was heard in court,” they added.
Ms Green also used her statement to criticize media coverage of the case, which made headlines during a trial in London earlier this year.
“Some people in the press were only too happy to reprint these lies without proper reporting. There are few things the media likes more than tearing a woman apart,” she said.
“It was like being mobbed by hounds; I found myself misrepresented, taken out of context, and my desire to make the best film possible made to sound like female hysteria.
“It was cruel and it wasn’t true.”
During the 11-day trial, messages sent by Ms Green to her associates were revealed in court, which included describing potential crew members as “shit farmers”, the production as “shit B movies” and an executive producer as “pure vomit”.
Ms. Green also spent two days testifying from the witness stand, facing questions from White Lantern Film and SMC’s attorneys.
The actress continued in her statement, “Following this case, the cat is really out of the bag that I’m mildly terrified of public speaking, that I don’t understand technical financial structures, that I’m fragile in the face of aggressiveness, that I’m passionate about my job and that my heart breaks when people are rude.
“I’m also the type of person who runs out the back door at parties and is happiest home alone with my dogs.
“But more importantly, I want to add that I am also happier making films that I love and believe in, working side-by-side with brilliant crews in the UK and abroad.
“Therefore, the deliberate misreporting by some journalists magnified the pain to a huge degree and it was more painful than I can tell.”
Ms. Green sued White Lantern Film after production on the sci-fi film A Patriot shut down in October 2019, claiming she was still entitled to her fee for the dystopian thriller despite its cancellation.
“I fought tooth and nail to defend the beautiful film that I loved and signed up for,” the actress said.
“A film that spoke to a cause close to my heart – climate change – and warned against the wars for resources and mass migrations that would occur if we did not address the problem.
“I stood my ground and justice prevailed this time.”
Ms Green concluded: ‘I wish I could say this ordeal has made me stronger, better, wiser.
“But having my personal life dragged through the press and court has been more painful and damaging than I can say.
“That’s why I want to thank those kind people who, when I was vilified in the press, supported me, on social media and other platforms.
“It was a great comfort to me knowing I wasn’t alone and it helped me to know that so many people could see right through the legal tricks and PR and spin.
“I promise with all my heart that I will always try to deserve the kind support you have given me.”
White Lantern Film and SMC said Green complained about “things she herself has written and said,” adding, “Her comments, emails and WhatsApp have been reviewed to determine whether she intended to exit the project or would proceeded with it. This was the key evidentiary issue before the court.
“SMC has a long and proud track record of funding and supporting producers, directors, screenwriters and acting talent of all genders, from Academy Award winners to first-time female directors. It is absurd to suggest that Ms Green’s gender played a role in our decision to defend ourselves against this legal claim,” they said.
