Author Michael Lewis, known for his book and subsequent film adaptation of “The Blind Side,” has responded to accusations made by NFL star Michael Oher against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, the individuals portrayed in the story. Oher claims that the Tuohys cut him out of profits from the film and that they never actually adopted him, but instead deceived him into making them his conservators.
However, Lewis has strongly denied Oher’s allegations, asserting that the money from the film is not lining the pockets of the Tuohys. Instead, Lewis believes that Oher’s anger should be directed towards the Hollywood studio system. 20th Century Fox reportedly paid $250,000 for the rights to “The Blind Side,” with this sum being split equally between Lewis and the Tuohy family.
Once taxes and agent fees were deducted, Lewis claims to have received around $70,000 for the story option. Both Lewis and the actors involved in the film were offered a share of the movie’s net profits. According to Lewis, he and the Tuohy family received approximately $350,000 each from the film, with Oher’s share supposedly placed in a trust fund for his son.
It has been alleged that two years ago, Oher contacted Lewis to discuss the possibility of embarking on a speaking tour in order to generate income. However, this idea did not come to fruition.
In response to these ongoing conflicts, Oher has filed a petition with a Tennessee court. The petition seeks to terminate his conservatorship under the Tuohys, prohibit the Tuohys from using his name and likeness, and require a detailed account of the money earned by the family through the usage of Oher’s name. Additionally, Oher is seeking his “fair share of profits” from the Tuohys, as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
This legal battle has cast a cloud over the story behind “The Blind Side,” which gained widespread attention for its portrayal of Oher’s journey from a troubled background to becoming an NFL player. As both sides continue to dispute the financial arrangements surrounding the film, the public awaits a resolution to this longstanding controversy.
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