Robin Williams loses $6M lawsuit against producer
Last Updated: Sunday, February 7, 2010 | 10:10 AM ET
CBC News
Robin Williams, pictured last year, alleges he had a deal in which he'd be paid millions regardless of whether a movie was made. A judge in Los Angeles disagreed. (Matt Sayles/Associated Press)Comedian Robin Williams has lost a $6 million US lawsuit he filed against an independent producer over an alleged deal to star in a film.
Through his company, Fiat Risus, the 58-year-old performer took Gold Circle Films to court in October 2008.
The actor claims he was hired to star in the comedic action film Cop Out (previously titled A Couple of Dicks) before the company decided to shelve the production.
Williams says he had a deal in which he would be paid whether or not the movie got made.
Later, Warner Bros. acquired the project and made the film starring Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan. It is due to be released Feb. 26.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joanne O'Donnell ruled in favour of Gold Circle this week after it produced e-mails indicating the company had not finalized a deal with Williams.
"It's unfortunate that Robin Williams' attorneys insisted on pursuing this lawsuit when it never should have been filed in the first place," said Gold Circle lawyer Michael Holtz.
Holtz says his clients will be seeking recovery of court costs from Williams.
There was no comment from the actor or his representatives about the matter.
Share Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Wildfires, high winds put northeastern Ontario on alert
- It's going to be a tense weekend in northeastern Ontario where strong, shifting winds have been fuelling a forest fire that has blanketed the Timmins area with smoke and ash. more »
- Labrador fire out of control
- A forest fire continues to burn out of control in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today, according to provincial firefighting officials. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
- Miller Brittain sketches restored by museum
- Canadian artist and social satirist Miller Brittain's larger than life chalk drawings may once again hang in Saint John. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Police probe Halifax homicide after shooting
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike


