Old wounds have been opened with plans of a Pete Davidson-led Netflix biopic based on late Ramones singer and punk icon Joey Ramone.
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As news arrived of an unnamed movie in development based on a 2009 memoir titled, ”I Slept with Joey Ramone” by Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh (Mitchel Hyman), an ongoing legal battle between the estates of both the late Ramones singer and guitarist Johnny Ramone has been reignited.
Johnny’s widow, Linda Ramone, who splits ownership of the intellectual property of the band with Leigh, filed a lawsuit in New York City on January 21 claiming Mickey "covertly developed an unapproved and unauthorized Ramones-based biopic" based on his "one-sided recitation of the history of the Ramones."
Helmed by director Jason Orley, the planned Netflix project co-written and starring comedic actor Pete Davidson taking on the role of Joey Ramone, was announced in 2021, with the "support of the Estate of Joey Ramone." In her filing though, Linda says this is not the case and that a film about the Ramones cannot go ahead without her blessing.
“Ms. Ramone objects to defendants’ attempt to create a Ramones film without her involvement — not to be obstinate, but rather based on defendants’ disregard for [Ramones] assets and their conduct and treatment of Ms. Ramone and her late husband,” her lawyers state. “To permit defendants alone to tell the authoritative story of the Ramones would be an injustice to the band and its legacy.”
Additionally, the lawsuit also includes further allegations against Mickey Leigh and David Frey, a director of the Ramones’ holding company, whom are accused of “effectively shut down the entire company,” witholding payments, and more.
“It is apparent from defendants’ continuing course of conduct that their main objective is to torment Ms. Ramone until she agrees to sell her interests,” the lawsuit says. “Regrettably, Defendants appear willing to allow the band’s legacy to decay, in order to benefit their own self-interest.”
As executors of Johnny and Joey’s estates, Linda and Leigh each own half of Ramones Productions Inc., -- described in court filings as “the vehicle through which the iconic punk rock musical group… markets, merchandizes, licenses and produces its memorabilia and musical related products.”
See... and you thought this was about someone trashing Pete Davidson again. Small wins, Pete. Staten Island, represent.