Kevin Costner sues over Robin Hood profits

Kevin Costner wants a share of profits from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Photo / Supplied

Kevin Costner is suing producers of Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves for his share of the film's profits.

The 57-year-old star claimed in a Los Angeles lawsuit that Morgan Creek Productions had not paid him for two years.

However bosses said they had paid the actor US$40 million (NZ$49.8m) and had been "very nice to him" in regards to the movie which made $390 million.

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Costner starts out with very harsh words for the independent studio that backed the 1991 blockbuster.

It alleges: "Every actor hopes to star in a great movie that makes substantial profits. But if you're hoping to earn profits based on the success of your film and you want to be paid on a timely basis, then one company you certainly do not want to do business with is Defendant Morgan Creek Productions."

Costner, represented by Marty Singer and Michael Holtz at Lavely & Singer, said Morgan Creek promised it would share profits with him but "when it came time to report and account ... Morgan Creek was less than forthcoming," with no participation statements rendered in 2010 and 2011 and late statements from 2004 to 2009.

Morgan Creek CEO James Robinson responded: "Why is it after 22 years Mr Costner finds fault with our accounting procedures or for that matter our way of doing business?

"We have paid him over $40 million. I think we've been very nice to him. I wonder how much money he has made from other films where he is participant. We've been very straight with him."

- Bang! Showbiz