The story behind Cameron Diaz's purported topless photos is nothing if not revealing.

During photographer John Rutter's preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, where he is accused of trying to extort $3.3 million from Diaz, an investigator testified that Rutter threatened to sell photos of her to a European group for $5 million, reports the Associated Press.

During Tuesday's hearing, Detective Brian Bennett said the "majority" of Rutter's 20 photographs depicted Diaz topless, and that the actress told him in June that she feared the pictures would "hamper her ability to land certain family movie roles."

This included her voiceover in the upcoming "Shrek" sequel, Bennett testified.

Rutter, 41, has been charged with one count of attempted extortion, attempted grand theft, perjury and forgery. He remains free after posting $250,000 bail.

Bennett said he interviewed Diaz at her attorney's Century City office and was told that Rutter threatened to sell the photos -- which were taken in 1992, Bennett was told -- to a European group that planned to splash them on buses, billboards and kiosks to promote "Charlie's Angels 2."

Diaz, 31, told Bennett the shots were taken during a "spec shoot," meaning they were taken only to build her and Rutter's portfolio and were not meant to be published, the investigator testified. (The actress also is suing Rutter in civil court to keep a lid on the photos.)

Diaz claimed Rutter did not have a valid photo release giving him rights to sell the photos, Bennett testified. He also said that Diaz called the signature on the release a forgery.

Rutter, who was arrested Aug. 12, claims he was negotiating with Diaz and she offered "sums of money" to keep the photos private. He said he had contacted Diaz's attorneys in order to offer them right of first refusal before he would try to sell the photos.

The judge in the case has sealed the file containing the photos.