News | Entertainment
24 Apr 2024 14:46
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    The creators of 'Empire' are being sued for $500 million

    Jon Astor-White is suing the musical drama's ex ecutive producers Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, as well as Imagine Entertainment and 21st Century Fox, claiming they have ripped off the idea for the show from a programme called 'King Solomon', which he shopped around in 2007.


    According to TMZ, Jon faxed a treatment for the show - which was about a record ex ecutive and his family and their battle over company control -around to various companies and it included a proposed cast list featuring the likes of Richard Roundtree, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, John Goodman and George Hamilton.

    Jon described his show as "the style and elegance of 'Dynasty' meets 'The Sopranos' with a sprinkling of 'The Godfather.'"

    He is seeking $500 million plus additional damages.

    The claim comes weeks after Marvin Gaye's son, Marvin Gaye III, also planned to take legal action over the show, claiming they stole his idea.

    Marvin claimed to have registered a treatment on a show called 'Diamonds & Ballads', aka 'Those Sons of Riches!', with the Writers Guild of America in 2010, with the proposed drama pitched as "a music based 'black' and 'hip' version of 'Dynasty' ... with a little 'Sopranos'."

    When he shopped the proposal round to TV ex ecutives, Marvin told them it was loosely based on his own family, as well as Motown producer Berry Gordy and his loved ones, and he claims some of the people he approached were associates of Lee.

    Marvin believes the 'Empire' boss previously unwittingly confessed to stealing the idea after the show made it big.

    Drawing comparisons to 'The Sopranos', Lee said last year: "I wanted to make a black 'Dynasty.' "

    He is now planning to file a lawsuit for an unspecified sum.

    His lawyer said: "We understand that three things can't be hidden for long: the Sun, the Moon and the Truth!(sic)"

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     24 Apr: Jennifer Hudson has hailed the late 'American Idol' star Mandisa "a bright light" who left a "powerful imprint on this world"
     24 Apr: Pete Doherty has got rid of his mobile phone
     24 Apr: Dwayne 'The Rock ' Johnson used to dream of becoming a country music singer
     24 Apr: Salma Hayek is "so honoured" to have been invited to Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party
     24 Apr: Harry Belafonte "died laughing", according to his daughter Shari
     24 Apr: Dame Julie Andrews "doubted" she would ever make it as a star
     24 Apr: Candace Cameron Bure "can't wait" to become a grandmother
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Crusaders captain Scott Barrett's demanding more from his playing group as the pressure mounts on coach Rob Penney More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Hallensteins Glassons has topped a list of fines - out of serious compliance breaches found in the New Zealand sharemarket More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Hudson has hailed the late 'American Idol' star Mandisa "a bright light" who left a "powerful imprint on this world" 14:33

    Rugby League:
    The Cleary name looks set to make a return to the Warriors in the NRL 14:17

    Entertainment:
    Pete Doherty has got rid of his mobile phone 14:03

    Law and Order:
    Police in Waikato are asking for for help over a burglary at Tokoroa Four Square 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Dwayne 'The Rock ' Johnson used to dream of becoming a country music singer 13:33

    Rugby:
    Crusaders captain Scott Barrett's demanding more from his playing group as the pressure mounts on coach Rob Penney 13:27

    Business:
    Hallensteins Glassons has topped a list of fines - out of serious compliance breaches found in the New Zealand sharemarket  13:27

    Law and Order:
    Gisborne police are appealing for witnesses to a sexual assault near the Boardwalk, on April 9 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Salma Hayek is "so honoured" to have been invited to Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party 13:03

    Entertainment:
    Harry Belafonte "died laughing", according to his daughter Shari 12:33


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd