Miami Cops Sue Matt Damon, Ben Affleck: Why Hollywood Can’t Look Away

A legal battle involving two Miami police officers and celebrities Matt Damon and Ben Affleck might not stand a chance in court, according to legal authorities consulted by Page Six Hollywood.

Although the case grabbed media attention nationwide yesterday, legal professionals are skeptical about its substance beyond the initial shock value.

The entertainment sector is keeping a close eye on the developments, as “The Rip” is only the latest in a series of films to face legal scrutiny, with not all cases dissolving quietly.

Several Netflix productions like “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Inventing Anna,” and “Baby Reindeer” have been the focus of defamation claims by individuals who argue that they were misrepresented in these stories.

The FX hit “Love Story,” which explores the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, has also stirred up real-life controversy due to its depiction of actress Daryl Hannah, who has vocally criticized the series produced by Ryan Murphy.

Damon, Affleck, and their production company face a lawsuit over “The Rip,” a dramatized version of a 2016 drug raid in Miami Lakes where police seized $24 million. The movie, directed by Joe Carnahan, plays with themes of shifting suspicions and loyalties, leading viewers through a series of twists and turns.

The two Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office sergeants involved claim the film takes too many creative liberties.

Eric George, a lawyer from California who specializes in First Amendment and defamation cases, described the lawsuit against “The Rip” as “absurd” and anticipates its dismissal. He notes the film’s disclaimer about dramatization and the avoidance of using real names as significant protective measures.

George also commented on the growing trend of legal challenges against shows and movies “based” on true events.

“If you alter the person’s name and clearly state that the narrative is dramatized, you’re on much firmer legal ground,” George explained. “It’s not foolproof, but it significantly strengthens your case.”

However, the situation becomes more complex when real names aren’t changed. The late Olivia de Havilland unsuccessfully sued FX over her portrayal in the second season of “Feud,” another Murphy production.

Other notable cases include former Vanity Fair editor Rachel DeLoache Williams suing Netflix for defamation regarding her depiction in the Shonda Rhimes series “Inventing Anna,” which centers around scammer Anna Sorokin. Williams argued she was painted as a villain to make Sorokin, played by Julia Garner, appear more sympathetic. Similarly, Georgian chess player Nona Gaprindashvili filed a $5 million lawsuit against Netflix, claiming “The Queen’s Gambit” inaccurately stated she never competed against men. Netflix settled both cases.

According to George, the presence of disclaimers is crucial.

“The Queen’s Gambit” included a typical disclaimer stating that “the characters and events depicted are fictitious,” whereas “Baby Reindeer” claims to be a true story but acknowledges dramatization in the credits. “Inventing Anna” features a more playful disclaimer: “This whole story is completely true. Except for all the parts that are totally made up.”

As Hollywood continues to mine journalistic materials for inspiration, the trend of legal disputes is likely to persist.

In March, Daryl Hannah expressed her displeasure in a New York Times op-ed about her portrayal in “Love Story.” She refuted her character’s actions in the show, including illegal behaviors, and stressed the real-world impact of such dramatizations: “Many people believe what they see on TV and do not distinguish between dramatization and documented fact—and the impact is not abstract,” she wrote.