Austin Powers’ biggest little star, Verne Troyer, has a new lawsuit in his hands. As TMZ first reported, Verne is suing his ex-girlfriend and sex tape co-star, Ranae Shrider. Verne is accusing Ranae of “intentional infliction of emotional distress and battery” in the lawsuit that is being filed today. Verne’s attorney, Ed McPherson, told TMZ, “When you pick up a 2′8″ human being and throw him to the floor, it hurts.” The actor is claiming in the suit that Ranae terrorized him, threw him on the floor and beat the crap out of him. He is also claiming that the damages Ranae inflicted on him exceed a $20 million payment. It’s definitely been a busy day for celeb’s legal dramas today.

Update: Verne’s now suing TMZ for showing a clip of his sex tape online. He filed a suit on Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles alleging that the site violated his privacy rights, infringed on his copyright and misappropriated his name and likeness. Kevin Blatt, who distributed Paris Hilton’s sex tape, is also named as a defendant on the suit. Verne claims Kevin stole the tape. Battle on!

Dude, everyone does have a sex tape…even Dr. Evil’s sidekick. Austin Powers star Verne Troyer is the latest celeb whose goings-on in the sack are up for grabs by the public. TMZ is reporting that the sex tape contains shots with Verne’s former live-in girlfriend at the couple’s apartment. A third party has snatched up the tape and is now trying to sell it. The same dude who brokered the Paris Hilton sex tape is also brokering this one and there is already a $100,000 offer from Sugar DVD on the bidding table. I’m sure there’s a market out there for this, so Verne should get in on the action, if he hasn’t already. No word yet on who leaked the tape, but Verne does have a new movie out (The Love Guru) that’s not living up to its blockbuster potential, so maybe Justin Timberlake had something to do with this. Or not.

Austin Powers star Verne Troyer was reportedly hospitalized today. He is currently filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in British Columbia when he started feeling flu-like symptoms. His rep told Us Magazine that it is not drug related. Verne checked into rehab for alcoholism in 2006 and I’m sure some wondered if he was having problems with his addiction again. He’s been working very hard on the film, sources say. His rep also added that he’s doing fine and will be going back to work. Verne will be reuniting on screen with his Austin Powers co-star, Mike Meyers, in the summer comedy The Love Guru. Best wishes to Verne.

Dr. Evil was nowhere to be found, but our photogs did find Mini-Me handling his macking business today. Verne Troyer was out at the Ivy with a pretty blonde, for what looked like a nice lunch date. Go handle, Verne! For those who are interested, as I was, Verne is just under three feet tall. Yes, I googled him. I also found out that he was cast in the movie Heath Ledger was filming before he died, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The movie has been put on hold, from reports I’ve read. Verne could probably win an Oscar in the future and folks would still call him Mini-Me. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but being part of a successful film series like Austin Powers is not something to be ashamed of. I have more pictures of Verne and his date for your perusal below. Get to them.