Director Zhang Yimou has sued its former production partner, Beijing New Picture Film Co., seeking a share of the distribution money of one of his movies worth $2.5 million, which he said the production company owes him.
On Tuesday, the director's lawyer said at the Beijing Chaoyang District Court that Zhang was not able to receive his share for the 2009 dark comedy film, "A Woman, A Gun and A Noodle Shop."
For its part, the production firm said that Zhang commenced his lawsuit last year, after a deadline has already expired. This argument was posted on the court's microblog site.
Zhang Weiping, owner of the Beijing New Picture Film Co., also said that payments of $2.02 million were made to Chen Ting, the director's wife, in 13 installments.
The defendant has asked the court to overrule the director's claims.
Director Zhang, according to China Daily, was not present during the hearing. Meanwhile, the court did not announce when the judgment will be revealed.
The director is currently making his first English-language film, "The Great Wall." The $150 million-budgeted Chinese-Hollywood fantasy movie will star Matt Damon and will be released globally in Nov. 2016.
"The Great Wall" is regarded as the biggest film ever shot entirely in the country. Set on the iconic Great Wall of China, it follows the story of an elite force defending the human race.
The film is a co-production of Legendary, China Film Group and LeVision Pictures, and has Zhang Yimou as its creative director.