Title: Michael Corleone Blanco Sues Sofia Vergara and Netflix Over Portrayal of Famous Drug Lord
Subtitle: Lawsuit Claims Unauthorized Use of Private Interviews and Lack of Consultation
McCreary County Record – In a controversial move that has caught the attention of entertainment enthusiasts, Michael Corleone Blanco, son of Griselda Blanco, has filed a lawsuit against actress Sofia Vergara and streaming giant Netflix. The lawsuit revolves around the portrayal of the renowned Colombian drug lord in a new limited series.
Blanco alleges that Netflix used information from his private interviews without his permission or providing any compensation. The series, which chronicles the life of Griselda Blanco, was released despite the pending legal action. This is not the first time such a lawsuit has arisen during the production of a show, as Eric Newman, creator and executive producer of the series, acknowledged, referring to similar suits filed during the making of “Narcos.”
Blanco had invested considerable time and effort into documenting his mother’s life, with plans to publish a book and develop a Spanish soap opera based on her story. However, the unauthorized use of his interviews by Netflix has allegedly undermined these endeavors. Although producers do not always require permission for projects of this nature, obtaining life story rights is generally considered best practice.
While Griselda Blanco is considered a public figure, allowing portrayals of her life to fall under the protection of the First Amendment, Blanco’s family members are not. Consequently, the lawsuit alleges that they were featured in the show without their consent. Seeking damages exceeding $50,000 and a temporary injunction to prevent the show’s release, Blanco’s legal team hopes to rectify this infringement.
According to Blanco, Sofia Vergara did not consult with the family nor accurately depict key details about his mother’s life. Blanco’s team even offered consultation services to Vergara’s camp, but were reportedly turned down due to a lack of available opportunities. In response, Blanco’s attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to Netflix and Vergara’s team, but no resolution has been reached thus far.
Netflix, represented by its attorneys, argues that Blanco had previously agreed to allow his information to be used for the show. Consequently, they contend that the lawsuit lacks merit. Meanwhile, the limited series continues to explore the rise and downfall of Griselda Blanco, often referred to as “the female Pablo Escobar.”
As the legal battle unfolds in the public eye, it underscores the complexities surrounding portrayal rights and the protection of family members’ interests. Cases like these are not uncommon, with family members and estates often seeking to safeguard their loved ones’ legacies and profit from their own projects. For now, the outcome of this lawsuit hangs in the balance, as both sides present their respective claims in the courtroom.
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