The Casino

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By Ian YoungsEntertainment & arts reporter

Actress Eva Green described a Film Producer as an " inexperienced, pretentious moron" as " an emotional response" after she was lied to about filming, she has told The High Court.

The Casino Royale star is suing White Lantern Films over her $1m (£810,000) fee for a film that never got made.

Her barrister has claimed the production company wants to paint her as a " diva" to damage her reputation.

They dispute her claim and are countersuing.

The Company is arguing she made " unreasonable" demands and pulled out.

The French actress was due to star in and executive produce A Patriot in 2019, but fell out with fellow producers over the budget, location and preparations.

Ms Green argues that she is owed her fee under a so-called " pay or play" provision, which guarantees an agreed payment to an actor even if The Film is never made.

A series of her WhatsApp messages have been revealed to The Court , in which she called executive producer Jake Seal " the devil" and " evil" and described The Crew as " Peasants ".

Asked about her description of an " inexperienced, pretentious moron" she told The Court on Monday: " I'm probably talking about [producer] Adam [Merrifield] at The Time , but it was an emotional response, I felt betrayed. "

She added that she had been " lied to" about The Move of the production from Ireland to the UK.

'I have nothing against Peasants '

Referring to another message describing two of The Film -makers as " weak and stupid" She Said : " It's my Frenchness Coming Out sometimes. "

She added: " Sometimes you say things you don't actually mean. Of course they are not weak and stupid. "

And asked about the reference to crew members as " Peasants . . from Hampshire" She Said : " I have nothing against Peasants .

" I didn't want to work with a sub-standard crew. I wanted to work with a high-quality crew who just wanted to be paid standard industry rates. "

Ms Green said she withdrew after Budget Cuts forced filming to move from Ireland, and because of " chaotic" preparations and what she described as corner-cutting - Such as an " extremely dangerous" reduction in her stunt training - and The Crew being paid " significantly" below industry rates.

She Said she would not make a " B-movie" because appearing in Such a film " could kill my career".

" When an actor has appeared in a B-movie they are labelled as a B-actor, you never get offered quality work ever again" she added.

White Lantern has claimed " Ms Green's expectations for The Film were incompatible with its budget" and that she was " repeatedly making unreasonable demands" about The Crew , locations and equipment.

Max Mallin KC, for White Lantern, has also claimed that Ms Green had an " animosity" towards A Vision for The Film held by Mr Seal.

The civil trial is due to last for a total of Eight Days .

Source of news: bbc.com