LOS ANGELES—A judge has denied a bid by the author of the book behind the 2005 film “Sahara” to obtain a judgment of more than $8.5 million against the film’s producers, according to court documents.
Clive Cussler sued Crusader Entertainment in 2004, claiming the company reneged on a contract that gave him approval rights over the film’s screenplay.
Crusader countersued, accusing Cussler of duping it into adapting his book into a film based on an inflated number of novels sold.
Jurors ruled last May in favor of the production company, and the author was ordered to pay Crusader $5 million.
Crusader is owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz.
Cussler subsequently filed motions to amend his original complaint and argued that the jury had left it up to the court to award him $8.5 million involving the movie rights to another book that was never made into a film.
In a ruling issued last Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John P. Shook denied Cussler’s motions, concluding “plaintiffs cannot now contend that the jury’s response … is tantamount to a judgment…”
Attorney Marvin Putnam, who represented Crusader, now named Bristol Bay Productions, said the ruling means Cussler must still pay the $5 million awarded to the company during trial.
Cussler’s attorney Bert Fields said his client didn’t suffer a loss.
“The judge has yet to decide on who is the prevailing party in the action. When the judge does decide, he will find, that under the law, Mr. Cussler is the prevailing party in the case,” said Fields.
“Sahara” starred Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz.
