Action man Vin Diesel is used to playing the rescuer, but this time his new film Babylon A.D. had to be rescued from the axe.
The film centres on war vet-turned-mercenary Thoorop (Diesel), who takes on the risky job of escorting a woman from Russia to China. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah.
But the science-fiction flick ran so far over budget and behind schedule, it seemed doomed itself, until insurance firm Film Finances Inc stepped in and paid $1.5m to ensure film shoots in Paris and Prague could be completed, reported New York Daily News. A spokesperson for the company confirmed it had paid out, but refused to reveal the amount.
But another insider lays the blame for Babylon A.D.'s troubles on xXx star Diesel, claiming a rift between the star and French director Mathieu Kassovitz. The source told NYDN: "These guys really didn't get along. I think they wouldn't mind if they never saw each other again."
Diesel's representative Meredith O'Sullivan denied a fall-out though, saying: "The movie wrapped and everyone's really happy with it. Vin is not a diva."
Babylon A.D. is due in cinemas February 2008.