The entertainment industry is no stranger to on-set controversies, and the latest legal turmoil surrounding the upcoming action-thriller Classified has thrust its stars into an unwelcome spotlight.
Abigail Breslin, best known for her breakthrough role in Little Miss Sunshine, now finds herself at the center of a lawsuit involving her co-star Aaron Eckhart, known for his role in the blockbuster The Dark Knight.
The legal dispute came into public view when The Times obtained a lawsuit filed by Dream Team Studios and WM Holdings. According to the documents, Breslin had made allegations about Eckhart's conduct during filming, claiming it was aggressive to the point that she felt "scared to be alone with him."
The production company claims that Breslin’s refusal to film alone with Eckhart, based on what they term "specious" accusations, has added $80,000 in unforeseen costs and now threatens the film’s delivery.
In Classified, Breslin portrays an MI6 analyst entangled with her on-screen CIA hitman father, played by Eckhart. The suit reveals that the finished product has been compromised, with "few scenes" showing the two together, potentially impacting the film's narrative cohesion and overall impact.
The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles details that Breslin, an Oscar-nominee for Definitely, Maybe, voiced her concerns earlier this year in a letter to SAG-AFTRA, describing Eckhart's behavior as "aggressive, demeaning, and unprofessional."
The production almost halted, the lawsuit alleges, due to Breslin’s insistence on changes to ensure she was not placed in compromising situations.
The on-set producer, identified in the complaint as "Mr. Georgiev," reportedly investigated Breslin’s claims and found no evidence supporting the allegations of Eckhart’s aggressive behavior.
Meanwhile, Breslin’s representatives have denied awareness of the legal action, with Rolling Stone reporting that Breslin "unequivocally stands by her statement" provided confidentially to her guild.
Adding to the drama, the plaintiffs contend that Breslin is now demanding "additional monies" beyond her contracted fee to sign off on the final agreement. This signature is critical for the film's distribution and for the producers to claim tax credits from shooting in Malta. Breslin's non-compliance, they argue, jeopardizes the financial wellbeing of the production.
Eckhart, whose acting process involves deep character immersion, as detailed in a 2016 BAFTA Guru interview, may find his methodology scrutinized amid these allegations. “If I’m a villain, and this guy has to hate me, I’ll make him hate me," Eckhart had said, highlighting his commitment to authentic portrayals.
Directed by Roel Reiné, who has a track record with projects such as Paramount’s HALO, Classified intertwines a tale of international espionage with a father-daughter narrative.
The plaintiffs are seeking not only the $80,000 in incurred costs but also punitive damages, as they navigate the stormy waters of completing and releasing a film now shrouded in off-screen drama.
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