Harmony Korine‘s “Spring Breakers” is a neon-soaked, sun-doused pop culture collage, drawing on “Scarface” machismo and Britney Spears sentimentality. The allusions come quick and furious, but one consistent presence in the film, James Franco‘s grill-wearing Alien, incited the ire to of one real world likeness – that of MTV rapper Riff Raff, who Franco did meet as part of his prepartion – who is now taking legal action.
Clearly not one to let the matter slide, Riff Raff recently declared his intentions while leaving a Hollywood nightclub, mainly to sue the “Spring Breakers” producers for $8-10 million. “It’s like if I have a front yard,” he explained (via The Daily Swarm), “And you’re planting soil and you’re planting trees and building peaches and houses and selling parking lots on my property … then I deserve to be compensated for some portion of that money.”
Perhaps just a drunken boast on Riff Raff’s part, but his words are still the most drastic move on the matter taken thus far. Franco and Korine have repeatedly played down the accusation, pointing instead to Florida rapper Dangeruss as the main inspiration for Alien, but we’ll see if Riff Raff’s real estate metaphors extend to any legitimate action. Or potentially, more answers will come from the “Chopped and Screwed” cut of “Spring Breakers” that Korine is currently planning.
Either way, check out clips from both artists below and gauge the differences/similarities to Alien yourself.