London, Feb 8 Hollywood actor Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett have taken legal action against a former business partner in a bid to avoid a cash plea.

The Smiths claim the man who financed a movie Jada wrote and starred in is threatening to sue them over what he claims was a "guaranteed" return for his investment - and they're not to blame for the failure of the film, called Human Contract.

However, the film, which went straight to DVD, made no money.

According to TMZ.com, The Smiths insist they never promised to pay back investors, reports the Daily Star.

They want a judge to declare they're not liable for the investor's lost cash.