Jerry Heller files defamation suit over Straight Outta Compton
It looks like Jerry Heller made good on his promise to sue Dr. Dre and Ice Cube over the way he was portrayed in the N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton.
On Friday, N.W.A.’s former manager filed a $110 million defamation lawsuit claiming the film is filled with lies to make him out to be “the bad guy.”
Via the LA Times:
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the film, in which Heller is portrayed by actor Paul Giamatti, is “littered” with factual inaccuracies and includes a host of defamatory statements that make Heller into the “bad guy” of the film.
Also named in the lawsuit are director F. Gary Gray, the estate of Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, and his widow Tomica Woods-Wright, among others.
The lawsuit accuses the filmmakers of depicting Heller as a “sleazy manager” who takes advantage of the members of N.W.A, fraudulently induces them to sign unfavorable contracts and swindles them out of money that is rightfully theirs.
Heller, 74, helped the Compton rap group skyrocket in popularity nationwide in the 1980s after inking a business deal with Wright.
In the lawsuit, Heller claims he never consented to the use of his name and likeness in the film and alleges that the movie lifted content from Heller’s own screenplays and book.
The massive success of the film — it is the highest-grossing musical biopic ever — further exacerbates the damage the film has done, according to the lawsuit.
“The larger the success of the film, the greater the damages,” the lawsuit said.
Good luck with that, Jerry.
My grandmother always said, “Everybody ain’t gonna tell the same lie on you.”
As for Dre and Cube…this is the second lawsuit the former group members are facing.
Dr. Dre & Ice Cube Demand To Be Released From Terry Carter’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In June, the widow of Terry Carter and his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit months after Suge Knight killed him in a hit and run.
FOLLOW US: Google+ | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | Join Our Mailing List
DOWNLOAD OUR APP:
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:
