Jerry Heller’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Defamation Lawsuit Moves Forward

[CORREA]

N.W.A’s former manager Jerry Heller got the O-K from Judge Michael Fitzgerald to proceed with filing a second and final amended complaint in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Pictures, Legendary Pictures, the estate of Eazy-E and nearly everyone involved with the film Straight Outta Compton, Deadline reports. Heller’s lawyers have until Apr. 25 to file.

The site reads, “Heller said he did not like the way he was depicted as a ‘sleazy manager’ in the biopic of the legendary West Coast hip-hop group.” He also claims he was not paid for the use of his likeness; Paul Giamatti portrayed Heller in the film.

The original $110 million complaint was filed almost five months ago. Universal hopes to have the lawsuit dismissed, stating that Heller’s claims are an “impingement of free speech. The suit also shares this is a case that Heller cannot win, since there was a disclaimer before the film began stating that the F. Gary Gray movie was a dramatization.

The saga continues.