In the latest controversy, Carole Baskin is suing both Netflix and the production company Royal Goode Productions for purportedly using her footage in the upcoming Tiger King sequel “Tiger King 2’ without her authorization.
Baskin and her husband, Howard, filed suit in Tampa, Florida, on Monday against the famous streaming service and the production company involved in the making of Tiger King 2. As per the documents obtained by Variety (an American media company), Baskin alleges Royal Goode Productions has supposedly breached the contract by using the footage featuring her and Howard in “Tiger King 2” without her consent. However, Netflix has refused to comment on the matter.
According to the lawsuit, “Understanding that the appearance releases limited Royal Goode Productions’ use of the footage of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue to the single, initial documentary motion picture, the Baskins believed that any sequel – though odious – would not include any of their footage.” The document further states that it came as a surprise to Baskins to see their exclusive footage in the trailer for “Tiger King 2.”
The lawsuit further states: “The Appearance Releases limited Royal Goode Productions’ right to use film footage of the Baskins to ‘a documentary motion picture.’ Throughout the Appearance Releases there is only reference to and mention of ‘the Picture.’ No mention is made of granting Royal Goode Production sequel rights, rights to create derivative works from ‘the Picture’ or additional seasons or episodes,”
It further states: “By utilizing the film footage of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue secured by Royal Goode Productions under the Appearance Releases in ‘sizzle reels’ and promotional trailers for the sequel entitled ‘Tiger King 2,’ the Defendants are in breach of the terms of the Appearance Releases.”
Consequently, as revealed by the documents, the Baskins demand that Netflix and Royal Goode Productions must remove all of the footage containing them from “Tiger King 2”. Moreover, they plan to plead their case in front of a jury. Also, read our blog about the best shows on Netflix and find out which one to stream tonight.
Baskin has been vocal about her contempt for “Tiger King 2” and rightly so. Talking to Variety right after the Tiger King sequel was announced, she stated: “I wouldn’t call Eric Goode or Rebecca Chaiklin true documentarians. I mean that was just a reality show dumpster fire.”
In the charge-sheet, Baskin also records her reservations about the docuseries, asserting that the idea of the project was originally sold to her as being “an exposé of the big cat breeding and cub petting trade akin to the documentary feature film entitled ‘Blackfish,’” instead of revolving around the eccentric stories relating to Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park founder Joe Exotic.
By going through the lawsuit further, it states: “‘Tiger King 1’ was particularly harsh and unfair in its depiction of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue. The ‘Tiger King 1’ series wrongly attempted to suggest that Big Cat Rescue abused its animals by keeping them in very small cages while not making clear that the animals actually reside in expansive enclosures,”
The lawsuit further explains: “Also, ‘Tiger King 1’ incorrectly suggests an equivalency between Big Cat Rescue and Joe Exotic’s roadside zoo, and more broadly that there is no difference between roadside zoos that exploit and mistreat animals and accredited sanctuaries that rescue and provide excellent lifetime care to the animals. Perhaps most pernicious is the overarching implication in ‘Tiger King 1’ that Carole Baskin was involved in the disappearance of her first husband in 1997.”
Though, Baskin has frequently publically denied her connection to the disappearance of her first husband, Don Lewis.
Baskin also showed her disdain over the release of “Tiger King 2” stating: “I don’t know how they put out a Tiger King 2 when Joe Schreibvogel’s [aka Joe Exotic] in jail and I’m refusing to be played again”.
She further added: “Rebecca Chaiklin said she wanted to ‘clear the air’ about what they did to me in Tiger King. I told her to lose my number. There is no explanation for such a betrayal and false portrayal.”
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness aka known as Tiger King – titled onscreen is an American true crime miniseries about the life of former zookeeper and imprisoned offender Joe Exotic. The first documentary was aired on Netflix on March 20, 2020. Its sequel was announced in September 2021 and will premiere on November 17, 2021.
Tiger King 2 will continue from the jaw-dropping ending of Tiger King 1 which eventfully saw Joe Exotic detained for the murder-for-hire plot of his rival; Carole Baskin. The new documentary will also cover the campaign run by Joe Exotic supporters which saw President Trump pardon Exotic. This season will further investigate the mysterious disappearance of Don Lewis; Baskin’s ex-husband.
Despite all the surrounding controversy, “Tiger King 2” is set to release on Netflix on November 17, 2021.
