Pete Davidson's Ramones Netflix Film Faces Uncertainty Over Estate Legal Battle
The Netflix-planned Ramones biopic starring Pete Davidson faces uncertainty due to an ongoing legal dispute over the band's estate management.
Ramones band members posing together
Photo Credit: The Ramones in 1976 (Johnny Ramone, Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone) by Plismo / CC by 3.0
A recent arbitration ruling has removed David Frey as director of Ramones Productions Inc. (RPI) and barred him from re-election for five years. This decision came after Johnny Ramone's widow, Linda Cummings-Ramone, filed a lawsuit against Frey and Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh.
The dispute centers on the Netflix adaptation of Leigh's memoir, "I Slept With Joey Ramone." While Netflix announced the project in 2021 with Jason Orley directing and co-writing alongside Davidson, Cummings-Ramone claims the biopic was developed without proper authorization.
The arbitrator found that Frey breached his duties by not presenting the STX/Netflix deal to Cummings-Ramone or RPI's Board for approval. Frey and Leigh had countersued in March, arguing the project was meant to be a family memoir rather than a band biography.
Cummings-Ramone expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating it would allow for proper advancement of "the best band ever's" legacy. She emphasized her commitment to protecting the Ramones' cultural impact and musical contributions.
This legal battle adds to Frey's controversial history in music management, including a previous lawsuit involving Cheap Trick in 2013 over alleged unpaid fees.
Concert crowd inside O2 Arena
Woman stands before urban skyline
Related Articles
Songwriter Fund Reopens Applications After Distributing $400K in Relief Payments
