Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault: New Accuser Steps Forward
Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault: New Accuser Steps Forward
Actor Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery by Tyler Perry, seeking at least $77 million in damages and naming Lionsgate alongside the filmmaker, while Perry has denied the claims publicly.
Allegations, Context, and Industry Reactions
The complaint describes unwanted advances reportedly occurring over multiple years and includes details tied to auditions and set interactions, drawing attention to power dynamics in casting and production; the complaint’s financial demand reflects both compensatory and punitive intentions and may prompt industry scrutiny and statements from peers, unions, and studios.
Potential Legal and Cultural Impact
Beyond civil remedies, the suit could influence how studios vet talent and handle complaints, affect Perry’s professional relationships, and renew public discussion about accountability and workplace safety in entertainment as the case proceeds through the courts.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Lionsgate
Lionsgate Studios Corporation is a Canadian-American film and television production and distribution conglomerate, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with primary operations in Santa Monica, California. It was officially formed on May 14, 2024, following the spin-off of film and television assets from Starz Entertainment, which had previously been known as Lionsgate. This strategic move followed Lionsgate's acquisition of Entertainment One (now Lionsgate Canada) from Hasbro in December 2023, leading to the consolidation and separation of its studio businesses into a standalone publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LION[1]. Lionsgate Studios commands a broad portfolio including Lionsgate Canada, 3 Arts Entertainment, Pilgrim Media Group, and Lionsgate Films—the latter renowned as the largest and most successful mini-major film studio in North America. Lionsgate Films, founded in 1962 in Montreal and now part of Lionsgate Studios, is notable for distributing major film franchises such as *The Hunger Games*, *Saw*, *John Wick*, *The Twilight Saga*, and *Rambo*. The studio has a strong reputation for focusing on foreign and independent films while also handling high-profile commercial releases[1][2]. The company has demonstrated flexibility and ambition in the contemporary film landscape, exemplified by its distribution deal for Francis Ford Coppola’s $120 million sci-fi epic *Megalopolis* in 2024, a project many other U.S. distributors declined due to its unconventional narrative[2]. Lionsgate’s recent corporate independence was solidified in early 2025 with the full separation from Starz. As of mid-2025, Lionsgate Studios attracted acquisition interest from Legendary Entertainment, signaling ongoing industry attention to its valuable content assets and market position[1]. In summary, Lionsgate Studios represents a modern, diversified entertainment powerhouse with deep roots in independent and franchise filmmaking, strategically poised in the evolving digital and theatrical distribution environment. Its blend of legacy, innovation, and marke