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Gerard Butler Sues Producers Over Unpaid Salary

Gerard ButlerGerard Butler is suing the producers of Motor City for $5.1 million.

The 43-year-old actor has taken legal action against Emmett/Furla Films, producers of the axed crime drama, which fell through last summer when financial backing didn't work out, asking for damages due to not receiving a penny of his promised wages.

The Scottish stud is alleging breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing because when he signed up to play the lead in the film about a crook on a mission for revenge, there was a "pay-or-play" clause. This would entitle the actor - who claims he turned down other acting work to appear in the movie - to $4 million regardless of whether the film got made, with up to an extra $2 million in compensation.

"Seeking to capitalize on Butler's hugely popular persona and worldwide recognition, Defendant solicited Butler's services as the lead actor in a theatrical motion picture tentatively entitled Motor City. After offering Butler the starring role in the motion picture on a pay-or-play basis, Defendant then used and exploited Butler's attachment to the motion picture to pre-sell the distribution rights and raise financing,"

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: October 12, 2010

How to Train Your Dragon DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • Arn: The Knight Templar: DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Darjeeling Limited (Criterion Collection): DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Hangover (Extreme Edition): DVD, Blu-ray
  • How to Train Your Dragon: DVD/Blu-ray Combo
  • I Am Love: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Jonah Hex: DVD/Blu-ray Combo
  • Leaves of Grass: DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Magician (Criterion Collection): DVD, Blu-ray
  • Red Dragon: Blu-ray
  • Sex and Lucia: Blu-ray
  • Three Kings: Blu-ray

Make sure to also check out the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: July 13, 2010

The Bounty HunterHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • 8: The Mormon Proposition: DVD
  • Alpha Dog: Blu-ray
  • Assault on Precinct 13: Blu-ray
  • The Bounty Hunter: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Chloe: DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Greatest: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Greenberg: DVD, Blu-ray
  • In Bruges: Blu-ray
  • Insomnia: Blu-ray
  • Our Family Wedding: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Saint John of Las Vegas: DVD

Make sure to also check out the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

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Box Office Breakdown: Theatergoers Choose Shrek Over Sex

Sex and the City 2

Shrek - not cosmopolitans - was what fans were buying this weekend.

Despite competition from two heavily-promoted features, an aging green ogre was able to hang on to his title for two weeks in a row. raised an additional $57 million during the Memorial Day frame to bring its domestic total to $146.8 million.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. proved that people can get tired of sex. Sex and the City 2 - which featured the return of Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) - couldn’t get past the bad reviews to even match the first film’s numbers. (Sex and the City opened to $56.8 million in May 2008.) The lovely ladies also couldn’t overpower Jake Gyllenhaal’s four-day haul. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time wound up snagging second place with a $37.8 million debut.

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Box Office Breakdown: MacGruber IS a Bomb

MacGruber

Disappointment can come in all shapes and box office sizes.

may have earned nearly three times as much than its nearest competitor, but it wasn’t exactly a winner for Paramount or Dreamworks. The film, which grossed $70.8 million in ticket sales, become the first sequel in the Shrek franchise to open below the $100 million mark (and that’s with the help of higher 3-D prices). The comedy did, though, place fourth on the all-time animated debuts list behind Shrek the Third ($121.6 million), Shrek 2 ($108 million)  and The Simpsons Movie ($74 million).

Meanwhile, it appears will last just as long in theaters as he does in Will Forte’s sketches. Although the character is (supposedly) known for diffusing bombs, he actually helped deliver one this weekend. The latest Saturday Night Live-based comedy - also starring Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe - generated a mere $4 million this weekend. While that number seems (understandably) dismal, there is one positive thing to note: the film only cost approximately $10 million to make.

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Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man Fights Off Robin Hood

Robin Hood

‘s excellent aim couldn’t keep Robert Downey Jr. off target.

Despite increased competition in its second week of release, remained firm at the box office. Paramount’s sequel generated another $52 million between Friday-Sunday and vaulted over the $200 million mark domestically.

Meanwhile, ‘s arrow was sharp enough for a $36 million bounty, but a bit too dull for a first place finish. The film did, though, earn approximately $74 million in foreign dollars. That topped the $43.1 million overseas debut for 2000’s Gladiator - another Crowe/Ridley Scott production.

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Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man 2 Soars High Above the Competition

Iron Man 2

Only one movie earned over $10 million over this weekend…and only movie scored over $125 million as well.

Iron Man 2 - with help from Mickey Rourke’s powerful weapons - whipped up $128.1 million over the past three days, giving Paramount its biggest open in history. The sequel, which was produced for approximately $170 million, easily improved upon Iron Man‘s $98.6 million premiere in 2008 and nabbed the fifth-largest debut of all time. (The Dark Knight still tops that leader board with its $158.4 million outing.)

Focus Features’ also made news of its own despite coming nowhere near Iron Man 2‘s numbers. The documentary, which was only released in 534 theaters, delivered $2.2 million and a ninth-place finish over the Mother’s Day weekend.

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Box Office Breakdown: Freddy Krueger a Theatrical Nightmare

Nightmare on Elm Street

Even though it’s a recurring dream, can still still scare up a few dollars.

Warner Bros.’ reboot of the horror classic clawed its way up to the top of the charts this weekend with a bloody good $32.9 million. Director Samuel Bayer’s first feature film more than tripled its nearest competitor while just falling shy of Freddy vs. Jason‘s $36 million open in 2003. (This installment did, though, top all other Elm street debuts.)

Meanwhile, it appears Brendan Fraser’s latest entry may have actually scared away audiences. , also starring Brooke Shields, only grossed $6.6 million over the last three days. Sadly, that amount was still higher than what Fraser generated in his last film…with Harrison Ford. (Extraordinary Measures unfolded to $6 million back in January.)

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Box Office Breakdown: Jennifer Lopez Needs a Back-up Plan

The Back-Up Plan

Jennifer Lopez’s recent performance at the box office - like her number at the American Music Awards - wasn’t exactly flawless.

, Lopez’s first major release since 2005, was not what moviegoers had planned for their few days off. The romantic comedy, which co-stars Alex O’Loughlin, earned a lackluster $12.2 million in ticket sales and a seat behind the five-week-old How to Train Your Dragon.

CBS Films did have one thing to brag about though: it’s movie performed better than any new wide release this weekend. (Granted, that isn’t saying much.) - an actioner featuring a large ensemble of actors - wrangled up a disappointing $9.4 million for fourth place. While that was enough to surpass last week’s champ, Kick-Ass, the two films were only separated by about $400,000. Meanwhile, Oceans, Disney’s nature documentary, landed in 8th place with $6.1 million.

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Box Office Breakdown: Kick-Ass Saves Its Ass

Kick-Ass

had a hard time living up to its name this weekend.

Despite high expectations for the R-rated superhero entry, Matthew Vaughn’s film barely won the box office battle. In fact, it looked on Sunday like Lionsgate’s actioner would place second overall. Fortunately, the final numbers worked in Kick-Ass’ favor…but not by much. Less than $200,000 separated from this week’s chart topper.

Meanwhile, attendance at ‘s services was good enough to get the comedy a fourth place debut. Neil LaBute’s remake of the 2007 British film recovered most of its budget - it cost approximately $21 million to make - with its $16.2 million gross.

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Read More | Box Office Mojo

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