Date: 13th April 2011

Douglas' ex revives movie cash bid


The clash between Michael Douglas and his ex-wife over his Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) earnings is back for another run in a New York court.

Diandra Douglas is seeking half the Oscar-winning actor's earnings from the 2010 film.

Her legal team has pressed a judge to reconsider his view that the case belongs in California, where the couple divorced in 2000 after 23 years together.

Lawyers for both sides traded barbs in court. Douglas was not there.

Michael Douglas' lawyer said her client's ex "should be ashamed of herself" for seeking more when she had received more than 51 million dollars (£31 million).

Her lawyers, meanwhile, mentioned his recent purchase of a £3 million-plus home near New York.

Outside court, Diandra Douglas criticised "mudslinging" she felt was directed at her. "I've always behaved as a lady, and I always intend to do so in the future," she said. "I think the facts speak for themselves."

Michael Douglas' lawyer, Marilyn Chinitz, said his former wife's claim was meritless and "she ought to get the message and move on".

The couple's lengthy, multi million-dollar divorce deal gives Diandra Douglas a share of proceeds from projects related to work the actor did when they were married.

But she says that should include last year's follow-up to Wall Street, the 1987 Oliver Stone film that won Michael Douglas an Oscar for his portrayal of an era-encapsulating financier who declared that "greed is good".

Source: Press Release