Eva Green v White Lantern Film (Britannica) Ltd & Anor.

Eva Green v White Lantern Film (Britannica) Ltd & Anor.

Eva Green did not, on 22 September 2019 or thereafter, evince a clear and unequivocal intention not to perform her obligations under the Artist Agreement. Reasonable persons in the position of White Lantern's directors would not have understood her to have renounced the contract. There was no acceptance of any alleged renunciation, nor any repudiatory breach. The Defendants' tort claims were dependent on establishing a renunciation, which was not proved. Eva Green is entitled to the contractual fee under the 'pay or play' clause.

Parties
Claimant/defendant to Counterclaim and Additional Claim: Eva Green; Defendant/counterclaimant/additional Claimant: White Lantern Film (Britannica) Ltd; Additional Claimant: SMC Speciality Finance LLC
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 September 2024
Procedural Posture
Civil (contractual and Tortious Claims) / Judgment After Full Trial
Outcome
Claim allowed; counterclaims and additional claims dismissed
Legal Topics
Renunciation of Contract, Repudiatory Breach, Pay or Play Clauses, Unlawful Means Conspiracy, Deceit, Unlawful Interference, Film Production Agreements
Contract Law Tort Law Renunciation of Contract Repudiatory Breach Pay or Play Clauses Unlawful Means Conspiracy Deceit Unlawful Interference +1 more

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Parties

Eva Green

Claimant/defendant to Counterclaim and Additional Claim

White Lantern Film (Britannica) Ltd

Defendant/counterclaimant/additional Claimant

SMC Speciality Finance LLC

Additional Claimant

Procedural Posture

Civil (contractual and Tortious Claims) / Judgment After Full Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Eva Green renounced her obligations under the Artist Agreement on 22 September 2019
  2. 2 Whether there was acceptance of any alleged renunciation by White Lantern
  3. 3 Whether Eva Green committed any repudiatory breach of the Artist Agreement

Ratio Decidendi

Eva Green did not, on 22 September 2019 or thereafter, evince a clear and unequivocal intention not to perform her obligations under the Artist Agreement. Reasonable persons in the position of White Lantern's directors would not have understood her to have renounced the contract. There was no acceptance of any alleged renunciation, nor any repudiatory breach. The Defendants' tort claims were dependent on establishing a renunciation, which was not proved. Eva Green is entitled to the contractual fee under the 'pay or play' clause.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed; counterclaims and additional claims dismissed

Orders

  • Declaration that Eva Green is entitled to the contractual fee under the Artist Agreement
  • All Defendants' counterclaims and additional claims in tort are dismissed