Ex- N.W.A. manager claims he was made to look like a villain in film

Former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller filed a multimillion dollar defamation lawsuit Friday over the hit film "Straight Outta Compton," claiming it portrayed him as a villain who led to the breakup of the gangster rap group. Heller, who is portrayed in the film by Paul Giamatti, sued former N.W.A. members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, the widow of rapper Eazy-E, and NBC Universal, which released the film in August. "Straight Outta Compton" was a hit, earning nearly $160 million domestically in the first six weeks after it was released in August. "The film is littered with false statements that harm the reputation of Heller and aim to ridicule and lower him in the opinion of the community and to deter third persons from associating or dealing with him," the lawsuit states. Heller is seeking more than $110 million, although a jury would determine any damage verdict.