Roberts, hot off the success of Steel Magnolias and reportedly torn over her and Kiefer Sutherland's failed nuptials, suddenly dumped her role opposite Mel Gibson . Her attorney claimed she was not contractually bound. We knew she was. Typically, studios and producers fight these battles behind closed doors. And typically, miffed executives will swallow their anger and disgust, let the star go and settle for a replacement, knowing they will undoubtedly end up working with that star in the future.
Court is only the venue of last resort, and the threat of it is really a trump card.
To the surprise of Hollywood's biggest players, an unknown independent producer sued Kim Basinger in 1991, claiming her abrupt exit cost him millions of dollars in worldwide profits. Inc. All rights reserved.