Wolfman Actor Sues Paramount Pictures Over Unauthorized Use of Image in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Wolfman Actor Sues Paramount over Use of His Image in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Unauthorized Use in Hit Sequel Raises Legal Questions

In a surprising turn of events, actor Barry Tubb, famous for his portrayal of flyboy Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe in the 1986 movie ‘Top Gun,’ has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures. Tubb alleges that his likeness was used without his permission in the highly successful 2022 sequel, ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ This legal dispute has raised concerns over the studio’s handling of actor rights and the appropriation of images for film production.

Behind-the-Scenes Drama Emerges over Controversial Image

According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Weekly, Tubb claims that his contract with Paramount did not grant permission for the use of his likeness in the sequel. The specific scene in question involves the characters Hangman (Glen Powell) and Coyote (Greg Tarzan Davis) stumbling on an old photograph featuring Tubb, alongside the late Goose (Anthony Edwards), Maverick (Tom Cruise), and Wolfman (Tubb).

Tubb’s complaint argues that his likeness in the four-shot close-up is not incidental, but rather an essential aspect of the scene. Moreover, the actor alleges that the photograph displayed in the film is an altered version of an authentic behind-the-scenes shot featuring the original actors. Tubb contends that these alterations have effectively nullified any copyright claims Paramount may hold over the image.

Studios’ Rights vs. Actors’ Rights

Paramount’s failure to seek proper consent or authorization from Tubb regarding the use of his image in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ highlights an ongoing struggle in the film industry. This dispute raises important questions about the limits of studios’ rights and the importance of obtaining appropriate actor consent for all uses of their likeness.

Seeking Remedies for Unapproved Image Use

Tubb’s lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from Paramount. Additionally, the actor is demanding a trial by jury to redress what he perceives as misleading and deceptive conduct by the studio. Paramount has not yet responded to Entertainment Weekly’s request for comment on this matter.

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