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Costner settles $8 million movie deal lawsuit

Actor claimed Ascendant Pictures broke oral agreement over payment

Image: Kevin Costner
Alex Brandon / AP
Kevin Costner has settled his 2 1/2-year-old lawsuit that claimed Ascendant Pictures broke an oral agreement to pay him $8 million to star in a romantic comedy called "Taming Ben Taylor."
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updated 8:32 p.m. ET March 5, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Kevin Costner has wrapped up his latest role — plaintiff in a lawsuit.

Costner, 53, has settled his 2½-year-old lawsuit that claimed Ascendant Pictures broke an oral agreement to pay him $8 million to star in a romantic comedy called “Taming Ben Taylor.”

Details of the settlement were not made public.

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The movie, about a divorced man who refuses to sell his failing vineyard to a neighboring golf course, was never made.

Notice of the settlement of Costner’s suit and a cross-complaint filed by the Beverly Hills production company were contained in court documents filed Monday by Costner’s attorney, William A. Bossen.

The cross-complaint alleged fraud and was filed against Creative Artists Agency, the talent agency that represented Costner. Winner of the director and best-picture Oscars for 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” Costner also has starred in “Bull Durham,” “Waterworld,” “Tin Cup,” “JFK” and “Field of Dreams.”

Bossen confirmed Wednesday that the case was settled recently but declined to provide further details.

A call to Robert N. Treiman, who represented Ascendant Pictures, was not immediately returned.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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