Rockstar Being Sued By Lindsay Lohan
Associated Press are today reporting news of Rockstar being sued by Lindsay Lohan. The Grand Theft Auto makers are allegedly facing legal proceedings over claims Lindsay Lohan‘s likeness was used without permission in Grand Theft Auto V, released last year for PS3 and Xbox 360, with an updated and graphically superior port announced at E3 to be released on PS4, Xbox One and PC later this year. Sales of Grand Theft Auto V topped more than $800 million on its launch day, and more than $1 billion in its first three days following launch.
Lohan is said to have filed the lawsuit in a court in Manhattan on Wednesday. The lawsuit is said to focus on the likeness of Lindsay Lohan to in-game character Lacey Jonas. Aside from the physical likeness, the suit also claims her voice and clothing line have been used in the likeness of of Jonas in the game.
Lacey Jonas, the character Lohan claims to have been built on her likeness, features in a Grand Theft Auto V mission in which players help her avoid the paparazzi. There’s a further mission in the game which is based in the hotel Chateau Marmont – a hotel where the real Lindsay Lohan lived.
Lindsay Lohan has repeatedly been the subject of media discussion surrounding her financial situation; it’s not entirely unreasonable to imagine Lohan filing the lawsuit in an attempt to provide income.
Video games basing their characters likenesses on real-life personalities is nothing now, last years’ critically acclaimed The Last of Us had one of its main characters, Ellie, repeatedly likened to Juno actress Ellen Page.
Rockstar, nor parent company Take-Two, have issued a statement or response at present but we’ll keep you updated if either respond. The Grand Theft Auto series has always contained a satirical sense of humor, Rockstar have grown accustomed to legal issues with each release.