Alpha Dog Film Sparks Real-Life Drama
Posted January 9, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s the case of Hollywood vs. Hollywood.
The release of a major studio film is reportedly in jeopardy over its connection to a real-life murder case and its defendant, Jesse James Hollywood.
Alpha Dog, due in theatres on January 12th, is about the kidnapping and murder of a Southern California teenager. It’s based on a case that hasn’t yet come to trial in which Hollywood is accused of murder. The real-life victim is 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz, who was kidnapped and killed seven years ago.
Attorneys for Hollywood are blocking the film’s distribution because they maintain that even though characters’ names have been changed the portrayal of the Hollywood character is a negative one and could taint jurors’ views, undermining his chance for a fair trial.
Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake star in the film, which premiered in Los Angeles Wednesday.
Universal Studios contends the public has a right to see the film and preventing moviegoers from seeing it represents a violation of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech.
A federal judge allowed the film to go ahead but Hollywood appealed that decision – the appeal court’s decision is expected in the next day or two.
Markowitz was allegedly killed as part of a drug feud believed to involve Hollywood and Markowitz’s older half brother. Four others have been convicted in connection with the case.
Hollywood disappeared after being charged with murder and was found in Brazil in 2005. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
In another element to the dramatic case, an appeals court has slammed a deputy district attorney’s decision to turn over confidential files in the case to movie producers.
The California Supreme Court must decide whether to reverse a lower court decision to take Santa Barbara County Senior Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen off the case over his decision to share files with Alpha Dog producers.
In his Oct. 5 decision, Judge Arthur Gilbert said Zonen’s “actions allowed ‘show business’ to cast an unseemly shadow over this case.”
Hollywood’s attorney James Blatt has seen the film and says it gives the public a coloured view of the events.
“It looks like a major conflict-of-interest,” Blatt said. “They are making a motion picture and at the same time trying to take my client’s life. It’s like being hit with a double-barrel shotgun.”
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