Elizabeth Holmes' Fiancé Reportedly Seeking Legal Counsel Over Film Profits

Billy Evans, the fiancé of disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, has reportedly been seeking legal representation in Hollywood, with sources claiming he has contacted prominent attorneys about his potential share of profits from the documentary "You Can See Everything." The film, which chronicles Holmes' rise and fall, has garnered significant attention, partly due to its portrayal of Evans.

In the documentary, Evans is depicted as a "villain" figure who allegedly pushed filmmakers for profit participation in the movie. Multiple outlets reported this incident as controversial, though subsequent reports indicated Evans would forgo any payment. However, new information suggests Evans is pursuing a different course of action behind the scenes.

Sources close to the matter told Page Six that Evans has been actively engaging with Hollywood lawyers to secure a cut of the film's profits. One highly-regarded litigator reportedly met with Evans but declined to take the case, with one source attributing this decision to a desire to "stay away from that one."

The specific reasons for Evans' legal consultations remain unclear, but insiders suggest he believes he is entitled to a certain percentage of the film's profits. Some reports have suggested that Evans might intend to donate any earnings to charity.

"You Can See Everything," directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, utilizes a mix of documentary footage and reenactments. Evans' alleged attempt to negotiate profit participation was highlighted in a NewsNation report, which described it as a "jaw-dropping dramatization" where an actor portraying Evans explains the demand for a profit share, a move noted as non-standard for documentaries.

The Guardian and the LA Times also reported on this aspect of the film, with the latter noting that director Fielder feared the arrangement could compromise the project's integrity, leading Evans to ultimately agree to forgo payment. However, documentary industry insiders have offered a different perspective.

An independent film producer stated that it is not uncommon for documentary subjects to receive back-end participation or even upfront payments. "People get paid every day," the producer noted, acknowledging the "journalistic purity" argument against paying subjects but emphasizing that such debates have long existed in the documentary world. The producer also differentiated between paying subjects and splitting profits if the film becomes highly successful.

The documentary has achieved considerable box office success, opening to $15 million and expanding to over 2,600 screens. Projections suggest it could potentially surpass Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" as the highest-grossing non-fiction film. It remains to be seen whether any of these profits will ultimately reach Billy Evans or Elizabeth Holmes.