While not exactly the trial of the century, the lawsuit between Kevin Costner and Stephen Baldwin certainly does offer up a few laughs — especially in light of the millions of dollars the two actors have either made or plan to make from the largest oil spill in United States history.
Baldwin claims Costner duped him into selling his shares in Ocean Therapy Solutions, a company that invented a special centrifuge used to separate oil from water. The device has been financially backed by Costner since its earliest stages of development . . . on the set of Waterworld.
The device at the center of the lawsuit has been financially back by Costner since its earliest stages of development . . . on the set of Waterworld.
Baldwin bought 10 percent of the company at the start of the BP oil spill, but was soon convinced by Costner to sell his stake in the business. Baldwin says that Costner knew of the company's pre-existing $52 million order from BP and that he was pushed out of the deal so others could reap higher profits.
Baldwin and his business partner Spyridon Contogouris are asking for $21 million in damages. The defendants are seeking damages in counterclaims.
In a New Orleans courtroom Monday morning, the one-line attacks started almost immediately as Costner's lawyer Wayne Lee made his opening remarks.
“Kevin Costner is here for one reason and one reason only — he’s famous,” Lee cracked.
Ouch, that had to hurt poor Stephen Baldwin, who biggest roles in the past decade have been on The Apprentice and I'm a Celebrity . . . Get me Out of Here. Sure, Mr. Dances With Wolves hasn't been a movie blockbuster staple for quite some time, but the man does have two Academy Awards and he's coming off the mad success of the Hatfields & McCoys miniseries.
According to the Associated Press, both actors are expected to testify at trial.
