Boseman Estate Feud Escalates Over Documentary

The widow of Chadwick Boseman, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, is accusing the late actor's family of obstructing her work on a documentary about his life, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.com. The dispute has intensified amid a separate effort by Boseman's brothers to remove her as administrator of his estate.

In the filings, Simone states that she has been collaborating with the production company Words + Pictures on a documentary focused on Chadwick. She also indicates that she is working to finalize an offer from Searchlight Pictures to produce the film. According to Simone, the proposed deal is structured on a "Most Favored Nation basis," a term that would guarantee equal treatment for the family parties involved. She noted that "both sides of the family were sent identical paperwork," as reported by TMZ.com.

Simone claims that Chadwick's family members requested separate agreements from the production company. She characterized this request as "yet another example of Simon's generosity to the Boseman family," speaking to TMZ.com, and asserted that she holds the "100% right to control and benefit from Chadwick's name, image, voice, signature, likeness etc."

Simone further stated that she "has tried to consult with Chadwick's family at all times with respect to activities she has undertaken to honor Chadwick's legacy," according to TMZ.com, but she claims that his family "has not done the same."

As TMZ.com first reported, Chadwick's brothers are pursuing the removal of Simone as administrator of the estate, alleging a lack of transparency regarding finances. Simone has denied these claims, stating that she has exceeded expectations in her cooperation with the family and has distributed more funds to them than was legally required.

The ongoing conflict highlights the personal and legal challenges surrounding the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 after a private battle with cancer. The documentary, intended to celebrate his life and career, now finds itself at the center of a family dispute that continues to unfold in court.