The Wolf of Wall Street saw DiCaprio portraying former stockbroker and millionaire, Jordan Belfort. Based on Belfort's memoir, there's a particular character Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff that's caused this lawsuit storm.
Andrew Greene was a real-life former employee of Belfort's Stratton Oakmont. He worked for Belfort between 1993 and 1996 and served on Belfort's board of directors. Mr. Greene is claiming that the character of Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff is a thinly-veiled version of him. Greene's own nickname back in the day was 'Wigwam' and he claims that producers changed that to 'Rugrat' and have defaced his name. Greene argues that he did not give consent to his image or characterisation of him to be used in the 2014 blockbuster hit. He is suing various companies involved in the film's production including Paramount Pictures, Red Granite Pictures, DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions and Sikelia Productions.
The film, which had full authorisation and support from Belfort, is now facing a hefty lawsuit from Greene over damages and libel. Greene insists that since the film's release, he has lost over $15m because of the reputation that he believes depicted him in The Wolf of Wall Street.
On Thursday's hearing, magistrate judge Stephen Locke overruled the argument that DiCaprio's testimony only serves as harassment and coercion. The defendants then argued that Scorsese and screenwriter Terence Winter had already testified, and that the claimants had not stated why they needed DiCaprio to testify as he did not write the screenplay or play the character.
Will DiCaprio show his face in court? We will wait and see how this one pans out.