The director is being sued over documentary Voyage of Time, funds for which, investors claim, have been used on other films

He is known for the rarity of his big screen ventures, so it might come as a surprise that film-maker Terrence Malick is being taken to court by investors who claim he is currently making too many movies.

Malick is being sued by a group named Seven Seas Partnership over a proposed documentary titled Voyage of Time, which the director once described as "one of my greatest dreams". Unfortunately, claims the suit, the US director has been so busy making films such as 2011 Cannes winner Tree of Life and this year's To the Wonder – not to mention two further forthcoming movies – that he has "forgotten" about his promise to start work on the film investors put their money into.

The irony cannot be lost on the famously publicity-shy Malick, who has directed only six films in a four-decade career since 1973's Badlands. Voyage of Time, which is to be narrated by Brad Pitt and Emma Thompson, is described as "an examination of the birth and death of the universe". It is still listed for release in 2014 and is currently in post-production, according to IMDb.

The investors allege their funds have been "co-mingled with other financial assets to support the production of other films by Malick", including the forthcoming drama Knight of Cups, which stars Natalie Portman and Christian Bale. "In other words," reads the suit, "SSPL was an unwitting investor in films produced, directed, and released by Malick, for which SSPL received no compensation, obligation for repayment, or equity interest in any entity."

Malick had proposed to shoot scenes for Voyage of Time, which will use the non-CGI special effects techniques pioneered by sci-fi icon Douglas Trumbull on Tree of Life, in locations as varied as Hawaii, Iceland, Monterey, Chile, Palau and the US. However, the suit contends the director became distracted and "dedicated his energies to four other films in the last five years" instead. The investors are asking for the return of their funds, plus compensation for lost profits.

Malick has made no public comment on the suit. However, the Hollywood Reporter says his production company Sycamore Pictures believes it is meritless.