Why Courtney Love Wants This Cobain Doc Blocked

During an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman back in February of this year, Courtney Love eagerly spoke of HBO's Kurt Cobain biopic — which was then only the works — Montage of Heck, and confirmed her and daughter Frances Bean's involvement with it. But when it comes to Soaked in Bleach , the unauthorized Cobain docudrama about conspiracy theories surrounding the former Nirvana singer's death, Love couldn't be less enthused. In fact, she has some unyielding advice for the theaters planning to show the docudrama — pull the film altogether or face legal action. According to Billboard, Love's attorney has issued a cease and desist order to theater owners on June 11 that warns of a defamation suit if they proceed with showing Soaked in Bleach.

In the letter, Love's legal team writes that the film "portrays Ms. Cobain in a false light." They then continue with a demand for the theaters to "immediately cease and desist from infringing on Ms. Cobain's rights in any manner whatsoever, including but not limited to completely halting the Film's planned exhibition and promotion."

While Love and her legal team have yet to file an official complaint, the 50-year-old singer formally denouncing Soaked was more like a matter of "when" than "if," particularly considering how hands-on she was with Montage — the first film about Cobain's life that the late grunge rocker's family supported, according to Billboard. Love had a hand in the casting, production, and overall direction of the film, which focused on Cobain's life as a whole as opposed to solely exploring the circumstances surrounding his death like Soaked does. That said, it seems downright unfathomable that Love would stand by idly while Soaked continues to feed the unquenchable appetites of conspiracy theorists who believe Cobain was murdered, despite the fact that his death was ruled a suicide.

Although the order wasn't directed at the filmmakers of Soaked in Bleach, the movie's producers don't appear to feel threatened by Love's demands, according to an exclusive statement they gave to Deadline: "Courtney Love and her lawyers clearly don't like that the film presents a compelling case for re-opening the investigation into Kurt's death. They should respect the First Amendment and let people decide for themselves."

Bustle reached out to Love's representative for comment, but has not heard back.