Battlefield Earth was panned

That film cost an estimated �52m to make and, according to website Box Office Guru, took an overall �15m.

As well as Beatty, Town and Country stars Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Gary Shandling.

It tells the story of an ageing New York architect who embarks on a series of adulterous affairs with women considerably younger than him.

Problems

Critics in the US have been scathing about the film. The Los Angeles Times said: "(It) goes from inept to complete disaster, sinking from indifferent to fiasco in the blink of an eye."

The film took three years to make, during which production was hampered by actors dropping out and reshoots.

The film production was hampered by hitches

It is these factors that seem to have driven up the film's costs, rather than expensive effects or multiple locations.

Still, Beatty's film does have some fans. Bill Treadway from New York was full of praise, commenting on website Internet Movie Database.

"The most exciting new comedy of the year. Thank God for gems like this," he said.

"The film is beautifully photographed and the script works so nicely there is no feel of a troubled production here.

"Besides making us laugh, this film makes us think and has a resonance so few films have today."

Other notable film flops in recent times include the 1996 adventure film Cutthroat Island starring Geena Davis.

Davis plays a female pirate in a race to be the first to find a hidden island that contains a fabulous treasure.

It cost �65m to make but took only �7.8m at the box office.

Town and Country is due for release in the UK at the end of June.