Title: Abigail Breslin Faces Lawsuit Over Feud with Co-Star Aaron Eckhart in Filming of “Classified”
Published: Nov. 4, 2023, 2:43 p.m. ET
By Samantha Ibrahim
Producers of Abigail Breslin’s upcoming film, “Classified,” have filed a lawsuit against the former child star for breach of contract. The legal action alleges that ongoing tensions between Breslin and co-star Aaron Eckhart caused production delays and cost the backers a significant sum of $80,000.
According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Breslin, known for her role in “Little Miss Sunshine,” accused Eckhart, 55, of displaying “aggressive, demeaning, and unprofessional” behavior towards her on set.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on November 2. Breslin had previously brought her concerns to the Screen Actors Guild in a letter, highlighting her fears and condemning Eckhart’s alleged behavior.
Producers claim that Breslin’s complaints had a severe impact on the production, nearly bringing it to a halt. “Classified” faced several hurdles as Breslin refused to film scenes alone with Eckhart, resulting in costly adjustments that had to be made to accommodate her demands.
One producer, referred to as “Mr. Georgiev” in the suit, investigated the matter and found no evidence supporting Breslin’s allegations against Eckhart. Additionally, the delivery of the film to distribution partners was affected due to a limited number of scenes featuring both Breslin and Eckhart together.
The court documents also revealed that Breslin failed to sign her long-form contract and demanded a payment of $35,000 before doing so. This refusal, according to the producers, jeopardized the financial stability of the production, including distribution agreements and potential tax credits in Malta, where the film was shot.
Without Breslin’s signature, the completed film cannot be distributed, and the production may miss out on the expected tax credit. “Classified,” a spy thriller, also stars Tim Roth and follows a CIA hitman who uses newspaper classifieds to find his killing assignments while reconnecting with his estranged daughter.
Breslin and Eckhart had previously collaborated on the 2007 romantic comedy “No Reservations,” alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The outcome of the lawsuit will determine the future of “Classified” and its distribution prospects. As the legal battle unfolds, the entertainment industry waits to see how this conflict between two influential actors will be resolved.