Seal was a hustler and pilot who was unexpectedly recruited by the CIA in 1980s to run one of the biggest covert operations in US history.
It’s not always flattering to have one of your near and dear ones portrayed on screen. Even if it is by Tom Cruise.
Drug smuggler Adler “Barry” Seal’s daughter is attempting to boycott Universal Picture’s “Mena” starring Tom Cruise, which is based on her father’s life.
Lisa Seal Frigon has filed a lawsuit in Baton Rouge District Court, saying the life story rights were sold without court approval or the estate’s consent, reported Ace Showbiz.
“Mena” is a thriller directed by Doug Liman and written by Gary Spinelli.
Seal was a hustler and pilot who was unexpectedly recruited by the CIA in 1980s to run one of the biggest covert operations in US history.
He was instrumental in the capture of the late cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar. Tom Cruise is already attached to play the lead role of drug smuggler-turned-federal informant.
Frigon, who was born from Seal’s first marriage, said her father’s third wife Deborah Dubois and children born from the marriage sold the rights to movie studio for USD 350,000 but not a dime went to the estate.
Her lawyer Roy Maughan said Dubois essentially stole money that belongs to the estate. “Well, obviously, if the agreement for the life story rights of Barry Seal was not properly executed, I would think that Universal would be cautious about proceeding to a theatre with the movie without making the appropriate arrangements,” Maughan said.
In the lawsuit, Frigon also pointed out that she had reviewed the movie’s script and there were many inaccuracies.
“It contains many factual inaccuracies and thus falsely portrays Adler Berriman Seal,” the lawsuit read.
Among the faults are Seal’s marital history, the portrayal of him as father of three instead of five, his work history, the portrayal of him as a drunkard and reckless pilot, his relationship with his two oldest children and the place and manner of his death.
Overall, the lawsuit attempts to stop the movie from being released. It claimed the commercial value of Seal’s persona has been damaged and therefore, the value of his estate is diminished. She seeks unmentioned damages from Universal, Dubois and her three children. Universal is yet to respond to the lawsuit.
“Mena” actually has gone into filming in Colombia and is scheduled to hit theatres in 2017. A TV movie based on Seal’s story was made in 1991 with Dennis Hopper as star.
(with inputs from PTI)