KIEFER SUTHERLAND - SUTHERLAND'S LEGAL TROUBLE JEOPARDISED TWELVE ROLE

SUTHERLAND'S LEGAL TROUBLE JEOPARDISED TWELVE ROLE

KIEFER SUTHERLAND's recent clash with a fashion designer almost cost him his role in JOEL SCHUMACHER's new movie TWELVE - because the director was furious about the negative press following the alleged headbutting incident.
The 24 star was accused of attacking Jack MCCollough for no reason, leaving him with a broken nose, at a Met Gala afterparty in New York on 5 May (09); Sutherland maintained he accosted the designer after he barged past pal Brooke Shields.
The actress has since backed up the TV star's story, calling the incident "unfortunate".
Sutherland, who is on probation in Los Angeles relating to his 2007 arrest for driving under the influence, was charged with third-degree assault soon after the run-in - and Schumacher was reportedly set to cut the actor out of his forthcoming project as a result.
The TV tough guy has since admitted he "regretted" the incident - and his repentant behaviour has convinced Schumacher to keep the movie in tact.
A source tells the New York Daily News, "For the entire week following (the incident), Kiefer's drama was the white elephant in the room. Joel did not want to talk about it and instructed his cast not to mention anything around him or to the press.
"Kiefer's role isn't huge anyway. He's mostly narrating and wouldn't have been working with very many cast or crew members, which everyone onset is pretty relieved about. Twelve is in post-production right now, and it wouldn't make sense to cut Kiefer at this stage of the game."
Sutherland and MCCollough settled their legal spat on Friday (22May09), with the pair releasing a joint statement.
In the press release, Sutherland said, "I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr. MCCollough was injured."
MCCollough added, "I appreciate Mr. Sutherland's statement and wish him well."
Details of their agreement have not been released to the press.