Lee Daniels And Fox Sued Over ‘Empire’

The “Empire” is under attack.

An author is suing “Empire” producers and Fox for $1.5 billion.

Timothy J. Levi, who wrote 2007's “Unity Incorporated: The Mastermind,” alleges the Fox hit borrows heavily from his book and has filed a federal suit in Virginia. Levi’s lawsuit also seeks an injunction against further production and distribution of “Empire.”

Levi said he gave his manuscript to a lawyer, Robert Walker, who in turn shared that with "Empire" producers Lee Daniels and Danny Strong.

The lawsuit contends there are tremendous similarities between the show, a drama with music, that chronicles the Lyon family and the novel.

In the flashy series, Terrence Howard plays Lucious Lyon and Taraji P. Henson plays his ex-wife Cookie.

Both characters have served time — she did 17 years and when she came out, Lucious had turned their small business into an empire.

They have three sons, all with their own talents and major issues. Lucious Lyon had a tough childhood and sold drugs.

The main character in Levi’s novel, Anthony Lewis, saw his father murder his mother and dealt drugs.

"Unity" also revolves around the lifelong friendship of African-American men.

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