Sean Penn Can Go Eff Himself

Sean Penn is suing producer Steve Bing over the dissolution of a deal to make a movie. Mr. Penn claims that they had an oral agreement that the star would be make $10 million whether or not the film was actually made. He claims that the role was rescinded because of his outspokenness over the situation with Iraq. Supposedly the producer thought there would be too much negative publicity associated with the star.

Mr. Bing (most famous for fathering Elizabeth Hurley's baby) is counter-suing Mr. Penn for reneging on the deal to make the movie and attempting to extort $10 million by threatening to publicly say that the deal was broken over political differences.

A January 14 letter from Mr. Bing's attorneys allegedly said:

"(M)y client's decision to move on is reinforced by your client's statements broadcast in his Larry King interview (on CNN Jan. 11) ... Steve Bing respects your client's dedication to expressing and acting on his political views irrespective of the personal consequences. If a price is to be paid for Mr. Penn's behavior and his preoccupation with political and social issues, that price should appropriately be borne by Mr. Penn, not by his potential employer[emphasis added]."

My armchair analysis: If Mr. Bing truly agreed to pay Mr. Penn regardless of whether the movie was made then he is a dumbass. He should know oral agreements are binding. Just ask Kim Basinger. If either of them honestly think that most folks care about Mr. Penn's personal political views enough to see or not see a particular movie then they haven't been paying attention. And if folks are turned off by Mr. Penn's views enough to avoid his movies, then Mr. Bing's entirely correct when he says that price should be borne by Mr. Penn.