In a striking turn of events, rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent has filed a lawsuit against the producers of the upcoming horror film Skillhouse, claiming that he never signed a contract for his role and has not received any payment for his participation. The lawsuit, first reported by TMZ, aims to halt the film’s release, which features 50 Cent playing himself as the mastermind behind a gruesome plot involving social media influencers trapped in a mansion where they must accumulate “likes” to survive.
Following the release of the film’s trailer, 50 Cent took to Instagram to express his frustration. “I didn’t get paid. I’m afraid I’m gonna need that by Monday. You already know the vibes,” he stated, underscoring his displeasure with the situation. In a subsequent, now-deleted post, he emphasized, “They can’t release this MOVIE SKILL HOUSE without my signature, which they do not have. What kinda business are they doing? I’d hate to have to demonstrate.”
According to the lawsuit, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson originally agreed to film his scenes for Skillhouse before finalizing any contractual agreements, operating under the assumption that a deal would eventually be established between him and the producers, including Ryan Kavanaugh. However, as the film’s release date approached, 50 Cent alleged that no formal agreement was reached, and he has yet to see any compensation for his work. The lawsuit claims that the producers have misleadingly marketed the film as a “50 Cent Movie” and “produced by 50 Cent,” despite the absence of his official involvement.
The trailer for Skillhouse, released by Fathom Events, prominently features 50 Cent, highlighting his role in the film but failing to mention his alleged position as a producer. In another deleted post, 50 Cent expressed his determination to thwart the film’s release, stating, “This guy Ryan Kavanaugh is doing everything in his power to make me kill this movie. This one is going in the trash can.”
Ryan Kavanaugh is no stranger to controversy in Hollywood; he previously founded Relativity Media, which enjoyed rapid growth before collapsing into bankruptcy amid a slew of legal issues. Today, Kavanaugh runs GenTV, the streaming service behind Skillhouse, which has been heavily promoting the film.
The lawsuit alleges that the producers have prominently used 50 Cent’s name, image, and trademarks across their marketing efforts, despite repeated objections from the rapper. The suit warns that if the film is released, it could cause irreparable harm to 50 Cent’s brand and reputation, given the misappropriation of his intellectual property rights.
As this legal battle unfolds, it highlights not only the complexities of contractual agreements in the entertainment industry but also 50 Cent’s determination to protect his brand. With the release of Skillhouse looming, the outcome of this lawsuit could set significant precedents for how artists engage with production companies in the future.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as we continue to follow the intersection of hip hop and entertainment law here at hiphopraisedmetheblog.com, where we celebrate the culture, the knowledge, and the lifestyle that define our beloved genre!
