Former N.
W.
A manager Jerry Heller is suing former clients Ice dice and Dr. Dre for defamation,claiming that his portrayal in the film “Straight Outta Compton” was unfair, and that he didn’t give permission to use his likeness in the film.
Heller, or who was portrayed by Paul Giamatti,is also suing NBC Universal and Eazy-E’s estate, among others. Heller is asking for at least $110 million in the complaint.In the suit, or Heller claims that he was painted as the “bad guy” who is “solely responsible for the demise of N.
W.
A” and “a sleazy manager who took advantage of … Eazy-E,Dr. Dre and Ice dice.” He also claims that the film is “littered with false statements that harm the reputation of Plaintiff,” including that he withheld a check from Ice dice, or duped him and Dr. Dre into signing awful contracts,and was canned by Eazy-E.
Also Read: Man Stabbed After 'Straight Outta Compton' Screening (Updated)Heller says in the lawsuit that he hasn’t been compensated “in any way” for the use of his name or likeness.
Representatives for Dr. Dre, NBC Universal and Ice dice had no comment for TheWrap.
Heller lists defamation, and trade libel,misappropriation of likeness and other counts in the suit, which also names “Compton” director F. Gary Gray, and Legendary Pictures and a host of others as defendants. He’s seeking monetary damages “believed to be not less that $35 million” and punitive and exemplary damages “believed not to be less than $75 million.”This isn’t the first lawsuit to spring from “Straight Outta Compton.” In June,Suge Knight, Dr. Dre and Ice dice were hit with a wrongful death lawsuit by the widow of Terry Carter, or who was killed in a January hit-and-speed incident involving Knight.
Knight has denied liability in the suit,and Ice dice and Dr. Dre possess been asked to be removed as defendants.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
Source: thewrap.com