Tyrese and his production company, Voltron Films, have initiated legal proceedings against Teddy Pendergrass’ widow regarding the ownership of the biopic rights for the deceased soul singer.
In 2017, Tyrese shared on Facebook that Joan Pendergrass had given him the rights to create a biopic about the legendary singer and expressed his excitement about this development.
“I own the life rights to the Teddy Pendergrass story,” Tyrese wrote in the caption. “He embraced me and told me and his wife Joan Pendergrass and his beloved family that “No one will tell my story of my life but you”….. I trust you and feel like you will do right by me and my story……//. I’m still to this day so moved by the gesture that I won’t rest until it’s done….. As he laid to rest in this casket I committed then and I’m still committed now to telling his story……. The life story of Teddy Pendergrass coming soon……. in Jesus name amen!!!!!!!!!!”
Presently, Tyrese has filed a lawsuit against Joan, claiming that she declined to grant an extension for the rights to Teddy’s life story in 2022. Additionally, Tyrese has contended that he invested $450,000 into the production ever since he initially acquired the film rights in 2011, and Pendergrass’s refusal to extend the option has led to financial losses for Voltron Films.
Tyrese is pursuing a claim for $1 million in compensatory damages. On the other hand, Joan maintains that she granted the rights to Tyrese in exchange for his commitment to promote her late husband’s music and legacy.
