Tyrese’s Production Company Sues Teddy Pendergrass’ Widow Over Singer’s Life Rights
In a legal battle that has caught the attention of the entertainment world, Tyrese Gibson, renowned actor and founder of Voltron Films, has initiated legal proceedings against Joan Pendergrass, the widow of legendary soul singer Teddy Pendergrass. The dispute revolves around the rights to produce a biographical film chronicling the life of the late Teddy Pendergrass.
The saga dates back to 2017 when Tyrese Gibson publicly announced via Facebook that Joan Pendergrass had granted him the exclusive rights to create a biopic recounting the remarkable journey of the iconic “Turn Off The Lights” singer. At the time, Tyrese expressed his deep gratitude for the trust bestowed upon him by Teddy Pendergrass and his wife, Joan.
In 2019, Deadline reported that production for the Teddy Pendergrass biopic was underway, with Tyrese set to portray the silk-voiced crooner. Warner Bros. was slated to distribute the film, and Tyrese had joined forces with renowned producer Lee Daniels of “Empire” fame. Joan Pendergrass was designated as the executive producer, marking a significant collaboration in bringing the legendary singer’s story to the silver screen.
Despite these promising developments, the film had not yet been officially titled, and its production start date remained uncertain.
According to TMZ, the legal dispute has arisen due to Tyrese’s claim that Joan Pendergrass declined to extend the option on the rights to Teddy’s story in 2022. Additionally, Tyrese alleged that he had invested a substantial sum, totalling $450,000, into the production since he initially secured the rights in 2011. He contends that Joan Pendergrass’s refusal to extend the option resulted in financial damages to Voltron Films, the production company founded by Tyrese.
In response to the lawsuit, Joan Pendergrass has asserted that she granted the rights to Tyrese in exchange for his commitment to promote her late husband’s music and legacy. As of the latest update, Joan Pendergrass has not filed a formal response to Tyrese’s legal action, and she has refrained from making additional comments regarding the matter.
The ongoing legal dispute between Tyrese Gibson and Joan Pendergrass has captivated industry observers, casting a spotlight on the intricate negotiations and challenges associated with bringing the life story of Teddy Pendergrass to the big screen. In his lawsuit, Tyrese is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages, and the outcome of this legal showdown will undoubtedly have implications for the highly anticipated biographical film.
Check out the post below.
