Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the rapper and actor also known as 50 Cent, has filed a lawsuit against the producers of the upcoming horror film *Skill House*, alleging he was never compensated for his work on the project. The lawsuit aims to block the film’s release, claiming the producers are exploiting his name and image without proper authorization.

News of the legal action emerged late last month, prompting 50 Cent to address the situation on social media. “I didn’t get paid. I’m afraid I’m gonna need that by Monday. You already know the vibes,” the rapper stated on Instagram.

The Premise of *Skill House*

*Skill house* is a horror film centered around social media influencers who are placed in a mansion and forced to compete for survival based on their ability to generate likes. the trailer, which was released in April, featured 50 Cent playing himself as the orchestrator of the gruesome events.

Though, shortly after the trailer’s debut, 50 Cent took to social media to voice his discontent. In a since-deleted post, he wrote, “They can’t release this MOVIE SKILL HOUSE without my signature which they do not have. What kinda buisness are they doing? I’d hate to have to demonstrate.”

Breach of Contract Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Jackson agreed to film his scenes for *Skill House* with the understanding that a formal contract would be finalized later. He claims he trusted that he and the producers, particularly ryan Kavanaugh, would reach an agreement. However,the lawsuit asserts that a deal was never finalized,and Jackson has not received any payment for his work.

“That trust was misplaced. No final agreement was ever signed,” the lawsuit states. “Nevertheless, defendants have billed Jackson as the star and producer of the film [and] have shamelessly and deceptively marketed the film as a ‘50 Cent Movie’ and ‘produced by 50 Cent,’ when it is nothing of the sort.” While Fathom Events’ trailer credits Jackson as a “star,” his alleged producer role isn’t mentioned.

Kavanaugh’s Controversial History

Ryan Kavanaugh, one of the producers named in the lawsuit, has a history of financial difficulties in Hollywood. His former production company, Relativity Media, experienced a rapid rise before collapsing into bankruptcy, leading to numerous lawsuits. As one investor told a bankruptcy judge in 2018, “in a town full of scam artists, posers, false prophets and flim-flam men, Ryan C. Kavanaugh is in a Hollywood class by himself.”

Kavanaugh is currently associated with GenTV, the streaming service that produced *Skill House*. The lawsuit alleges that GenTV has heavily promoted the film using 50 Cent’s name and image.

Copyright Infringement and Irreparable Harm

The lawsuit further claims that the producers’ actions constitute copyright infringement and that the continued use of 50 Cent’s likeness is causing irreparable harm to his brand. “Defendants have made Jackson the centerpiece of their promotional and marketing efforts for the Film. Despite having raised concerns months ago, Jackson’s name, image, and trademarks still feature prominently across the GenTV platform,” the lawsuit states.

The legal team contends that the unauthorized use of Jackson’s name and image is misleading consumers into believing he is endorsing or involved in the production more than he is. “Despite plaintiffs’ repeated objections and demands to cease and desist, defendants continue to infringe and misappropriate plaintiffs’ intellectual property rights and intend to release the film in the coming weeks (if not days). Should the film be released publicly, Jackson faces irreparable harm to his valuable brand and reputation.”

Counterargument: “Good Faith” effort

one could argue that the producers operated in “good faith,” believing a contract would eventually be signed after 50 Cent completed filming. They might claim that his involvement, even without a finalized agreement, justified using his name to promote the film, especially given the limited budget often associated with horror productions and streaming services. However, U.S. law firmly protects intellectual property rights, and verbal assurances rarely outweigh the need for formal documentation, especially when dealing with high-profile individuals and valuable brands.

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