'Avatar' actor's assault case to be dismissed

NEW YORK (AP) — "Avatar" actor Sam Worthington is on track to get his New York assault case dismissed after being accused of punching a photographer, who also was arrested.

The Australian actor was due in court Thursday. But electronic court records show the misdemeanor case was resolved April 8 with an agreement that it will be dismissed if Worthington stays out of trouble for six months. The Daily News first reported on the development.

Worthington's lawyer, Stacey Richman, confirmed Tuesday the case was set for dismissal. Manhattan prosecutors declined to comment. The arrangement is common for first-time misdemeanor arrests.

Worthington says he was protecting his girlfriend after photographer Sheng Li tried to trip her Feb. 23; Li says Worthington attacked him.

Prosecutors offered the same deal to Li but he turned it down.