TOP CELEBRITY ARTS: Lindsay Lohan's Family Threatens To Sue Over 'Dogs In Pocketbooks'

Mom Dina Lohan says the family has 'a very strong case' against satirical film.
By Terri Schwartz

Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

It took less than a day for reps from the Lohan family to speak out against Charles Casillo's latest film, "Dogs in Pocketbooks." The screenplay was written as a satire of Lindsay Lohan's life, though Casillo was emphatic that the film was "in no way mean-spirited toward Lindsay," adding, "It's the kind of thing she has spoofed about herself in the past."

But the Lohan family has been notoriously sensitive about anything that makes a mockery of Lindsay, most recently seen when they sued E-Trade for $100 million because of an ad that was modeled after her and ran during the Super Bowl.

Dina Lohan, Lindsay's mother, spoke with TMZ and said the family is considering legal action against Casillo. She said the new movie is "definitely based on Lindsay's likeness" (something Casillo did not try to hide when the film was announced Monday) and that the family has "a very strong case. It's shadowing E-Trade."

The Lohan family has already contacted their lawyer, Stephanie Ovadia, who told TMZ she thinks they have a case against the film. "They are again using [Lindsay's] likeness without her being compensated," the lawyer said. "Not only that, but they are advertising the fact they are using her likeness. Anyone bringing negativity will be dealt with accordingly."

When TMZ contacted Casillo for comment, he backpedaled and said that allegations that the movie is based on Lindsay are "totally blown out of proportion." He argued that the character is a composite of many young Hollywood starlets, including Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow.

"Dogs in Pocketbooks" follows a "bratty movie goddess in and out of rehab, in trouble with the law, and hounded by greedy agents, predatory paparazzi, off-the-wall stalkers and crazed media." The title is an obvious reference to the trend Hilton started by carrying around her teacup Chihuahua in her purse, but the rest of the character description sounds markedly similar to Lohan.

On Monday, it was announced that model and heiress Lydia Hearst Shaw would play the lead, with Joan Collins cast as her agent. Casillo said of Hearst Shaw, "She's one of the few supermodels who can actually act. She's smart, well-read, charming and very beautiful. We looked at a lot of actresses for this role, and I was really knocked out."

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