LOS ANGELES (AP) – Former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller filed a multimillion dollar defamation lawsuit over the hit film “Straight Outta Compton.”
Heller, who is portrayed in the film by Paul Giamatti, sued former N.W.A. members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre in Los Angeles on Friday. He also sued NBCUniversal, which owns the studio that released the film earlier this year.
Heller claims the film portrays him as a villain who led to the breakup of N.W.A., which launched the careers for Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and sparked the rise in popularity of gangsta rap.
Representatives for NBCUniversal and Ice Cube declined comment. A publicist for Dr. Dre did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
Heller is seeking more than $110 million, although a jury would determine any damage verdict.