Sofia Vergara and Netflix are being sued by an infamous Colombian drug lord’s son after the release of the smash hit “Griselda” on the streaming service.
Introduction to the Griselda Series
Netflix’s limited series, “Griselda,” featuring Sofía Vergara as infamous Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, was released before the controversy began.
Blanco’s last surviving son, Michael Corleone Blanco, filed a lawsuit against the streaming service and other involved parties.
Likeness Usage Concerns
The lawsuit claims that family members’ likenesses were employed in the production of “Griselda” without obtaining proper authorization.
Seeking Damages
Michael Blanco is seeking damages of at least $100,000 from Vergara and Netflix in response to the alleged unauthorized usage of his likeness and “artistic literary work.”
Sofía Vergara’s Perspective
Sofía Vergara, 51, said she was “fascinated” with the character, due to the ruthlessness of Griselda Blanco, a woman who played a significant role in the Miami drug war of the 1970s and ’80s.
The Unveiling of a Complex Character
“I was fascinated, because I grew up in Colombia in this era, and I never heard about a woman that was a head of a cartel,” Vergara said,
“Blown Away” by Girl Drug Boss
Vergara said she was “blown away” to find out that a woman was competing with the most powerful men of Colombia’s cartel era.
“There were girlfriends, there were wives, but not this woman that was competing, and getting to the level of these men. I was blown away,” she said.
The Lawsuit Unveiled
A recent lawsuit by Griselda’s son, Michael Corleone Blanco, and his wife, Marie, alleged the unauthorized use of Michael’s likeliness for the depiction of Griselda’s life story.
Michael Corleone Blanco’s E-book Release
Michael Blanco coincidentally released his e-book, “My Mother, The Godmother, and the True Story of Michael Corleone Blanco,” around the same time as the series, but claims this was not related to the show.
Legal Challenge Over Likeness Usage
The lawsuit specifically accused the show creators of utilizing Michael’s unreleased “artistic literary work” and accused Netflix of not crediting the family for the depiction of their story.
Emergency Injunction Sought
Michael Blanco and his wife even attempted to delay the series’ release on Netflix, but this was an unsurprising failure given the power that Netflix holds.
Release of All Episodes
Despite Michael Blanco’s emergency conjunction, all six episodes of “Griselda” were released on time.
Limited Insight From Creators
Producer Eric Newman, who also produced Netflix hit “Narcos,” a story about Colombia’s most infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, said that he’d faced similar legal challenges before and called it part of the “territory.”
Newman Keeps Head Down
Newman claimed he “dealt with similar suits from Pablo Escobar, his family, during the making of Narcos,” before admitting “I tend not to think much about them. It just feels a little bit unsurprising.”
Netflix’s Silence
Netflix has not issued any public comments regarding the legal challenge or the allegations presented in the lawsuit.
Claims of Ignored Consultation
The lawsuit contended that Netflix approached Michael Blanco before the release, but he didn’t give them permission.
Blanco’s Attorney Defends Lawsuit
Michael Blanco’s attorney, Benjamin Mordes, said, “Netflix, as we’ve alleged, is using these ideas that were part of interviews that were memorialized, and writings and notes. Nobody else could have those ideas and nobody else could have those stories.”
Unraveling Netflix’s Interest
While Netflix had expressed interest in a Griselda project in the past, Michael Blanco alleged that the streaming service disregarded his interviews and failed to involve him in the development process.
Netflix’s Claims of Dramatization
In the build-up to the release of “Griselda,” Netflix stands by the claim that it’s a “fictional dramatization” of the Blanco family’s life. It’s likely they would use this in their defense against the copyright lawsuit.”
Hearing Details
A recent hearing in the case occurred, although specific details have not been disclosed publicly.
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The post Sofia Vergara and Netflix Face Lawsuit Over ‘Griselda’ Series Depiction first appeared on From Frugal to Free.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / OSCAR GONZALEZ FUENTES.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
