Anthony Hopkins sues production company

Anthony Hopkins wants his money.

Samson Inc., a company co-owned by the Oscar-winning actor, is suing Merchant Ivory Productions, accusing it of failing to pay him for his services.

Merchant Ivory owes Hopkins $750,000 for his work in a film called "The City of Your Final Destination," according to documents filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit was first reported by CelebTV.com.

Hopkins signed on to the film in October 2006 and was to be paid in full for his performance by Jan. 10, court documents claim.

He is seeking compensatory damages of $750,000, as well as interest, attorney fees, and any other money that an arbitration panel "may deem just and proper."

Telephone and e-mail messages to Merchant Ivory Productions were not returned. Lawyers for Samson Inc. did not immediately return a phone message, and Hopkins' publicist had no comment.

Hopkins won an Academy Award for best actor in 1992 for portraying the killer Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs."