The Die Hard star was targeted by executives at Foresight Unlimited, Signature Entertainment Group and Three Stories Productions in March (09) over claims he signed a $200,000 (£133,000) deal to direct new picture Three Stories About Joan - but quit during filming.

Willis subsequently countersued for almost $9 million (£6 million) alleging bosses at the companies failed to organise funding in time.

Papers filed in court in Los Angeles on Monday (16Aug10) suggest the case has now been thrown out. No details of the dismissal were available as WENN went to press.