Abigail Breslin made shocking claims about her “Classified” co-star Aaron Eckhart, alleging his aggressive behavior during filming left her unwilling to be alone with him. These allegations were revealed in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, which was obtained by Rolling Stone.
Breslin initially detailed Eckhart’s behavior in a private letter to the Screen Actors Guild. However, her claims became public when the film’s production companies sued her for breach of contract, citing her “specious” accusations as the cause of $80,000 in damages.
The lawsuit alleges that Breslin’s accusations of Eckhart’s aggressive, demeaning, and unprofessional behavior caused significant disruptions to the production. Breslin insisted that she was put in perilous situations due to Eckhart’s actions.
To ensure the production could continue, Breslin refused to be alone with Eckhart in several scenes, resulting in costly accommodations being made. Eckhart’s publicist has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs also stated that they were unsure if Breslin directly confronted Eckhart, but they were aware of the letter in which she expressed her concerns about his behavior. An on-set producer reportedly investigated Breslin’s claims at the time.
The producer’s investigation, conducted by a person referred to as “Mr. Georgiev,” concluded that there was no evidence to support Breslin’s allegations against Eckhart. Despite the film being finished, it is now facing difficulties in its release.
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Left: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Right: Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media/Getty Images
In their lawsuit, the producers claim that Breslin is demanding $35,000 as a condition for signing her final agreement. This agreement is required by the production companies to release the film and claim tax credits in Malta where it was filmed.
As a result, the producers are seeking $80,000 in damages from Breslin. Breslin’s representative has not yet responded to requests for comment, but she stands by her statement to the Screen Actors Guild.
Eckhart’s response to the situation echoes Nicole Kidman’s sentiments in 2010: “She was irritated with me, and I was irritated with her, but that’s the way movie-making is. For one day, are we not allowed? For half a day even? It’s so surprising… when people are surprised that movie making is sometimes tense and uncomfortable.”
Eckhart plays a CIA hitman in the film “Classified,” where his orders are covertly sent through a newspaper section. The plot takes a twist when his estranged daughter reveals that his boss has been dead for years, and he has been targeting the wrong individuals.
No release date has been announced for the film.
