In April 2015, TMZ reported about Newt's lawsuit against the show and its producers. Newt said that he knew Howard in the past. He then discussed his life and the documentary entitled "Bigger than Big" with the "Empire" actor. According to him, Howard is interested in playing him in the film. Newt described his life as a black man who rose from a crime-filled ghetto into the music industry with his three sons.
According to Deadline, "Empire" showrunner and lead star Terrence Howard dismissed the idea that they ripped off the plot of ABC's "Empire" from the life of complainant Ron Newt, aka the self-proclaimed "Gangsta Pimp."
Lawyers Linda Burrow and Kelly Perigoe of L.A.'s Caldwell Leslie & Proctor, who acts in behalf of FOX and the "Empire" producers, described the series as a modern take on Shakespeare's "King Lear," and not based from Newt's life, as to what his copyright infringement lawsuit says.
"Plaintiff claims that the hit Fox network television series Empire is substantially similar to his Works, and asserts claims for copyright infringement and breach of implied contract," the motion said.
Daniels, on the other hand, noted that Newt's story contains "cold-blooded killings, dismemberments, and crude descriptions of Plaintiff's sexual escapades," which he said will never be fit to be adapted into a TV series.
"Plaintiff's Works are not substantially similar in protectable expression to Empire, which dooms his copyright claim," the motion continued. "Because Plaintiff fails to allege that he disclosed his Works to Defendants Daniels, Strong, or Spellman, he also fails to allege that these Defendants voluntarily accepted the Works under circumstances implying an agreement."
Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, "Empire" stars Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Loretha "Cookie" Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Trai Byers as Andre Lyon and Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon.
The series also showcased the appearances of A-list guest stars including Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Raven-Symone, Mary J. Blige and Becky G, who played various roles. Meanwhile, other special cameo appearances were made by Gladys Knight, Snoop Dogg, Rita Ora, Juicy J, Patti LaBelle, Pitbull and Timbaland, among others.
"Empire" is currently on its second season. It airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. on FOX.
