Sean Penn has won the latest round in his legal battle with Liz Hurley's ex, film producer Steve Bing.
The two men are suing each other over their failed collaboration on the movie Why Men Shouldn't Marry, which has never made it past the pre-production stage.
Bing has accused the actor of attempting to extort money from him, but a judge has thrown out part of the case. The Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that Steve cannot sue for "attempted civil extortion" because Californian law does not recognise the claim.
Penn meanwhile says that Bing fired him from the film because of his outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq. The actor, who has won great critical acclaim for his efforts as a director, sued the businessman for $10 million, but Bing countersued for $15 million.
The extortion claim stems from allegations that Penn threatened to release a damaging audiotape of a conversation with Bing, if he was not paid $10 million. Steve's lawyers are expected to revise and refile the claims before the two parties lock legal horns once again on July 3.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
