Tim Burton accused of tricking Lisa Marie out of cash

Hollywood director Tim Burton has been accused of tricking ex-girlfriend Lisa Marie out of millions of dollars in potential earnings in a new lawsuit.

The pair dated for almost 10 years and Marie starred in a number of Burton's movies, including Sleepy Hollow and Mars Attacks.

Their romance ended three years ago, and now Lisa Marie has claimed in court that they had an "oral agreement" to "completely integrate their business and personal lives".

In the new lawsuit exposed by American TV show Celebrity Justice, Lisa Marie charges that Burton and their attorney tricked her into giving up her legal rights, telling her she was facing poverty if she didn't agree to settle on Burton's terms.

Lisa Marie, who says she was emotionally fragile and on medication at the time, agreed.

In the settlement, Burton gave Lisa Marie fair market value for their posh New York apartment, even though she expressed an "intense desire" to hold on to it. She is now reportedly demanding that Burton pay out an additional $5m (€4m) and financial support her for the rest of her life.

Burton - who is currently riding high on the critical success of his latest film, Big Fish, starring his current love interest Helena Bonham-Carter - has hit out at the suit.

His spokesperson says: "These claims are baseless and will be resolved in Mr Burton's favour in court."