Martin Scorsese - Martin Scorsese Responds To Production Company's Lawsuit

Bosses at Cecchi Gori Pictures filed suit against the director last week (beg20Aug12) over claims the legendary filmmaker entered into an agreement to direct a movie called Silence in 1990, but put off the project to work on The Departed, Shutter Island and Hugo.

The lawsuit claims the filmmaker agreed to pay the production company to halt work on Silence so he could focus on other projects, but he's accused of not handing over money from his 2011 animated movie Hugo.

A representative for Scorsese has now addressed the allegations, insisting the director has been blind-sided by the suit because the two parties had a working agreement for several years.

The statement from Scorsese's spokesperson reads, "It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures.

"The claims asserted are completely contradicted by, inconsistent with, and contrary to the express terms of an agreement entered into by the parties last year... Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action."