20th Century Fox has filed suit against its former Russian partner Gemini Film International, according to Russian press reports.

The suit alleges that Gemini, which was exclusive distributor Fox titles in Russian and CIS between 2000 and 2006, did not pay royalties for the rental of Fox titles including the Star Wars and X-Men installments. Estimates put the supposed debt at $65m.

Fox is seeking at least $3m from Gemini.

A Los Angeles court will begin hearing the case next week and will decide on what amount, if any, Gemini owes Fox. Moscow-based Gemini has filed for bankruptcy.

Gemini was launched in 1994 by German producer Bodo Scriba and Russian businessman Michael Schlicht. Schlicht left Gemini in 2006 to run Fox's distribution in Russia.

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