The Versace family is distancing itself from an upcoming TV series about the fashion designer Gianni Versace’s 1997 murder.
In a statement Monday, his family said it has neither authorized nor been involved in the series.
The statement continued that because no one in the family authorized the book from which the series if partly drawn or participated in the writing of the screenplay, the series should be considered ‘a work of fiction.’
The new series, produced by FX, chronicles how Gianni Versace was fatally shot in front of his Miami Beach mansion in 1997.
The Versace family is distancing itself from an upcoming TV series about the fashion designer Gianni Versace’s 1997 murder. Pictured is Versace’s character, portrayed by Edgar Ramirez, in the series which comes out on January 17
In a statement Monday, his family said that because no one in the family authorized the book from which the series if partly drawn or participated in the writing of the screenplay, the series should be considered ‘a work of fiction.’ Versace is pictured at his home before his untimely death
This isn’t the first time the family has expressed doubts about the American Crime Story, but it is the first time it has released an official statement
He was a victim of serial killer Andrew Cunanan, a 27-year-old gay man who had murdered at least four others in a three-month killing spree before turning up at the fashion designer’s home.
Cunanan was found dead in a Miami houseboat eight days later, apparently shooting himself with the same gun that killed Versace.
Twenty years on, it is not known whether the murder was planned or carried out at random, leading to much gossip and speculation, including a rumor that Versace may have been murdered by the mafia due to debts he owed to the criminal organisation.
There was also speculation that Versace may have met his killer years earlier, though family members and the designer’s then-boyfriend Antonio D’Amico deny that.
This isn’t the first time the family has expressed doubts about the American Crime Story, but it is the first time it has released an official statement.
Producer Ryan Murphy said Donatella Versace came to him last summer with concerns about the nine-part series.
She was particularly concerned about how her children Allegra and Daniel will be depicted, according to W Magazine. They were both very young when her designer brother was murdered.
Producer Ryan Murphy said Donatella Versace came to him last summer with concerns about the nine-part series. Penelope Cruz is pictured with Edgar Ramirez, portraying Gianni and Donatella Versace in the upcoming series
Penelope Cruz (left) will play Donatella (right), and said before filming that she met with her to ‘try to capture the essence of who she is’
Antonio D’Amico, who will be portrayed by Ricky Martin, has also criticized the series, saying in an interview in June that it won’t ‘have a trace of reality’. Their two characters are pictured in the American Crime Story
D’Amico is pictured with Santo Versace, his lover’s elder brother in 1998. D’Amico said in an interview in June that it won’t ‘have a trace of reality’
Penelope Cruz will play Donatella, and said before filming that she met with her to ‘try to capture the essence of who she is.’
‘I didn’t want to do an imitation of Donatella, or a caricature,’ she told Interview.
‘I really hope that when she sees the show, she’s going to be happy. I’m sure there are going to be scenes that are hard for her to watch, because it’s a lot about the loss of her brother, which, of course, I have so much respect for.
‘I did it with all my love. From that place of devastation, she had to keep this company going in his honor. I don’t know if she ever said this, but it was a way of keeping him alive.’
In November Donatella confirmed that she’d spoken with Cruz, but said she has no intention to watch the show.
‘She is a friend, she said she will treat me with respect – yes but I don’t know what will be from a book that says incredible falsehoods,’ she said, speaking about the book which the series was partially based on.
D’Amico, who will be portrayed by Ricky Martin, has also criticized the series, saying in an interview in June that it won’t ‘have a trace of reality.’
‘There has been so much written and said about the murder, and thousands of suppositions, but not a trace of reality,’ D’Amico told the Observer.
After seeing images of the scene after Versace, 50, was gunned down the Brindisi born D’Amico decided to speak out about its apparent ‘poetic license.’
The ‘American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace,’ is also based in part on Maureen Orth’s book ‘Vulgar Favors.’ It will debut on January 17
‘The picture of Ricky Martin holding the body in his arms is ridiculous,’ he said, adding that it was like looking at a mimic of Michelangelo’s Pietà, which depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of his mother after the crucifixion..’Maybe it’s the director’s poetic licence, but that is not how I reacted.’
Instead, D’Amico says he was barely able to look at bloodied Versace’s body after he was shot as he returned to Casa Casuarina on Ocean Drive after buying a newspaper at a nearby cafe on the 15 July 1997.
‘I felt as if my blood had turned to ice,’ he said. He and Versace’s butler went outside to investigate.
‘The house had stained glass windows so we couldn’t see what had happened from inside, so we had to open the gate. I saw Gianni lying on the steps, with blood around him. At that point, everything went dark. I was pulled away, I didn’t see any more.’
The ‘American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace,’ is also based in part on Maureen Orth’s book ‘Vulgar Favors.’
It stars Edgar Ramirez as Versace, Daren Criss as Cunanan, and Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace, and debuts on January 17.
Pictured left to right Daren Criss, playing Cunanan, Edgar Ramirez, who will portray Versace, and Ricky Martin, who will play D’Amico