1. How is your life depicted?
* Factual/Biographical: If the movie depicts your life accurately, you're unlikely to have a strong legal claim. Biopics are protected under the First Amendment right to free speech.
* Fictionalized/Satirical: If the movie portrays you in a fictionalized or satirical way, you might have a stronger claim. But even then, you must prove significant harm (e.g., defamation, emotional distress) and that the movie was intended to cause you harm.
2. Does the movie use your name or likeness?
* Right of Publicity: You have the right to control how your name and likeness are used for commercial purposes. If the movie uses your name or likeness without permission, you might have a claim for a violation of your right of publicity.
* Fair Use: There are exceptions to the right of publicity, such as fair use. For example, if the movie is a biographical documentary, using your name and likeness might be justified as fair use.
3. Does the movie depict you in a false or defamatory light?
* Defamation: If the movie presents false information about you that damages your reputation, you might have a defamation claim. You must prove that the information was false, published to a third party, and caused you harm.
4. Does the movie cause you emotional distress?
* Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: You might have a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress if the movie intentionally caused you severe emotional distress. This is a difficult claim to prove, and you'll need to demonstrate that the movie's creators intended to cause you harm.
It's Important to Consult a Lawyer:
These are just some basic considerations. The law regarding movies and biographies is complex, and the specific outcome of a lawsuit depends on the specific facts of the case. If you believe your rights have been violated, it is crucial to consult an attorney who specializes in this area of law.