Michael Douglas' Ex Wants His 'Wall Street' Paycheck

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 24th 2010 05:39PM

Michael Douglas and ex-wife Diandra Douglas

Despite being diagnosed with throat cancer, Michael Douglas refuses to delay his court battle with ex-wife Diandra Douglas over her claim that she's entitled to half his earnings from the upcoming 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,' which opens Sept. 24. Diandra had offered to postpone the hearing, but "Michael declined -- he wants to get this over with as soon as possible," a source told Page Six. Lawyers representing the actor and his ex tangled in a New York court Tuesday.

The suit appears to hinge on a clause in Michael and Diandra's divorce settlement that entitles her to 50 percent of any earnings Michael receives from any movies he did -- including residuals, merchandising and ancillary rights -- during their 23-year marriage. According to Diandra's lawyers, that provision includes any "spinoffs" of Douglas' movies.

That, her camp says, should include director Oliver Stone's 'Wall Street' follow-up, in which Michael reprises his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko.

But Michael's lawyer, Marilyn B. Chinitz, says his ex is misinterpreting the agreement, and it doesn't apply to the 'Wall Street' sequel because it wasn't on the horizon when the two split, and he couldn't have guaranteed that he'd be in a sequel if one were ever made.

"When does it stop? ... She's not Mrs. Michael Douglas" anymore, Chinitz told a judge Tuesday. "It's enough. It's time for Ms. Douglas to move on and let Mr. Douglas move on and enjoy his life, without having to concern himself with someone trying to claw back moneys that they're not entitled to."

Since their divorce, Diandra has made $6.3 million from her stake in residual proceeds from other past projects, Chinitz said.

Diandra's lawyer, Nancy Chemtob, says her client isn't money-hungry and isn't clinging to her ex-husband. "She has her own identity, and she's proud of it," Chemtob said. "My client is not greedy. The exact opposite is true. Mr. Douglas is seeking to shirk his financial responsibility that was entered into when he signed this contract."

Michael and Diandra's divorce remains one of the costliest in Hollywood history. The pair's split was bitter, to say the least, with Diandra accusing Michael of sex and alcohol addiction and multiple infidelities. In 2007, Forbes magazine compiled a list of the 10 most expensive celebrity divorces and listed the Douglases' at number eight. Diandra walked away with an estimated $45 million and the couple's homes in Beverly Hills and Majorca.

Michael's legal team is seeking to have the case dismissed, arguing that the suit should never have been filed in New York in the first place, as the couple's divorce was finalized in California, and that the case has no merit because 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' is a sequel, not a "spinoff." "They're not the same thing," Chinitz said in an earlier hearing.

Michael and Diandra recently came together to support their son, Cameron, who was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in dealing methamphetamine and cocaine in New York City. During Cameron's April sentencing, Michael, who along with Diandra, his current wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Kirk Douglas asked the judge for leniency, took a swipe at his ex-wife in a letter to the judge, describing Diandra as "a young mother without any parenting skills handed down from her own parents."

Michael has canceled his promotional appearances for 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' while he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy for eight weeks to destroy the throat tumor.

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Comments

(200)

Tuesday 24 August

By CP

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He did not live up to his promises, but 45 million?..................get over the hate............there is so much more to live for. Men and women are different.......so he had affairs......what was the reason? I do not have affairs on my wife, but she also understands my needs and I hers. We respect that. We also would not be in this situation..............but as A Shakespere said..........Maybe all the Lawers should go!

By arthur burgess

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proof, this proves why divorce is so expensive.............

because it is worth it

By DAY5628

At least in his verbal swipe of her, he said she was "young"!

By mary-beth

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I believe that Diandra Douglas got her fair share. She should just go on with her life and get in her head that the marriage is over and Michael shouldn't give her any more money. He has family and seems to be happy. Leave him alone and let him get through his health crisis. Just because he makes more movies doesn't mean she should receive money for it.

Wednesday 25 August

By Samuel Brown

I agree with you, however, everyone seems to be letting her lawyer off the hook. She gets paid quite a bit in creating reasons for her client to go after even more money from Michael. All I'm saying is that lawyers can be super greedy too. But ultimately, it's up to her to say "I'm done!" But you know what they say about people who are greedy by nature/character - For them, enough is never enough because they're not at peace with themselves.

By Ann

Excuse me...her lawyer says she is not GREEDY. I'd like to know his definition of Greed. (just another divorce attorney). Give us all a break! Hell, change the name of the movie...not make it a sequel and tell her to drop dead (I had a better word in there but didn't want to use it in public). I'm sure she has every right to be bitter what with his playing around during their marriage - but let's face it folks - she got a very nice settlement when they divorced and that was a long, long time ago. Life goes on. Didn't you read where she's made quite a nice living for herself by investing her money. She's not broke by any means so I don't feel sorry for her. Bottom line: get a life lady and shake "greedy" attorney

By Brian Workman

No Merit! Don't waist the Courts time!!

By David

Its called " Fatal Attraction" Mikey....Talk to your producer who got you in this mess

By Jennifer

Saying that Wall Steet: Money Never Sleeps is NOT a spinoff is like saying that Frasier was not a spinoff of Cheers. Of course it is! IF the divorce decree includes future spinoffs or sequels as part of the settlement than he owes his Ex. That said, it is despicable that his Ex pursues this as he struggles with throat cancer. That's the thing about the law, dirtbags get the same rights! He should pay her off and be done with her....(don't make any more spinoffs), enjoy those who love him and don't waste time on those who don't. It's not worth it!

By DVD

ITS CALLED " FATAL ATTRACTION " MIKEY>>>> TALK TO YOUR PRODUCERS THAT GOT YOU IN THIS MESS !

By cinismax

LISA get a life you must be a friend of Joy Behar, hateful.

These people all have to much money GREEDY, most of these women never worked and they want to be supported the rest of their lives.
That is why most have babies with them so will be attached forever

By Miamigold@aol.com

She's not greedy!? LMAO! If you the math the attorneys will make a hefty paycheck.So, settle it NOW, Give her half of what she wants and it's over NEXT! MD is not poor so a few mills ain't gonna hurt he needs to focus on his health and let Karma get his ex wife...Prayers go out to MD.A true GENTLEMAN would let her drown in the money and just move own,karma catches you eventually.

By Que Sera Sera

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's exactly what's happening to him...karma's catching up!

By Pat

They are DIVORCED and he gave her quite enough. 45 MILLION DOLLARS AND TWO HOUSES! If she can't live on that, what's wrong with her? If that's not greed, what is? Diandra, get over your jealously, hate and bitterness that you couldn't hold onto him, get a life and get out of his. It's OVER!

By ray

Michael Douglas ex wife should be ashame of herself, being a greedy wretch. It is not all right to treat someone wrong, and that is what you are doing. You are not entitled to every penny this man earn throughtout his life. You earned and received your divorce, but how much cheating did you do doing the marriage. You sound bitter, greedy and guity. Are you planning to ride his coattail until he die of cancer.

By chuckster

Damn! This leech is like a bedbug infestation. May I suggest a can of Raid or a roach motel?

WE FOUND " CHUPACABRA " WE NOW KNOW WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE!!

By ALLY ANDREWS

Give me break, this HARPIE makes me sick.

I put her in the same category as that psychopath Heather Mills.
Diandra, get a life, you were not wronged by anyone, you brought it on yourself.

Michael wanted more children and you refused - The only thing you ever wanted was to be Mrs. Michael Douglas on a pedestal.

You are such old news, get another man and GROW UP !!!!!!!

Nancy Chemtob, says her client isn't money-hungry and isn't clinging to her ex-husband. "She has her own identity, and she's proud of it," Chemtob said. "My client is not greedy. The exact opposite is true. Mr. Douglas is seeking to shirk his financial responsibility that was entered into when he signed this contract."

Sure. Not greedy, Hah!, and the Pope isn't Catholic, and bears crap in outhouses. Has this beotch ever worked a day in her life?
Aside from throwing her legs up in the air?

By mari

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no woman deserves half of any mans pay check.

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