The family of late STATIC-X frontman Wayne Static has sent filmmaker Matt Zane a cease-and-desist letter to prevent his unauthorised documentary about the late frontman and his wife, Tera Wray, from proceeding.
The Wayne Static estate has ramped up its efforts to prevent filmmaker Matt Zane from continuing work on an unauthorised documentary about the late Static-X frontman and his late wife, Tera Wray.
The family had previously made its opposition to Zane’s documentary known and hopes that sending the cease-and-desist letter will force the filmmaker to halt all plans for the film.
However, as Blabbermouth would later report, Zane has since stated he intends to continue working on the documentary, and that he’s “ready and willing to take this as far as it goes… if it’s the last thing that I do.”
In his statement, Zane also noted that several other Wayne Static documentaries exist and was confused as to why his was being targeted explicitly by Static and Wray’s surviving family members.
“If you go to YouTube right now you’ll see multiple unauthorized documentaries about Wayne Static with hundreds of thousands of views,” Zane said.
He continued, “None of them were threatened with legal action. I’m the only one served with a cease-and-desist letter – and I haven’t even started production yet. Why am I being singled out?”
Zane had announced the documentary last month, stating that he plans to officially start filming next month. The filmmaker also shared that he had begun filming footage while both Static and Wray were still alive, and shared that the couple wanted him to finish the documentary.
To help fund the film, Zane would launch an Indiegogo, however has only managed to secure $200 USD in pledged donations. Despite the allegations from the family’s estate, Zane promises that “This project will present Wayne and Tera’s relationship in a way that they wanted the world to see them.”
Static passed away on November 1, 2014 due to a prescription drug overdose involving oxycodone, hydromorphone, Xanx and alcohol. Wray would die by suicide at her Joshua Tree, California home on January 13, 2016.
Both the estates are unified in their denouncement of the film, calling it an “exploitation of this dark and tragic chapter in their lives.”
Their full statement would read:
“A message from the families of Wayne Static & Tera Wray. We are sharing this with the world to ensure that our feelings are crystal clear on this matter.
“We are not interested in the further development of any unauthorized biography or documentary focused on our deceased son, daughter, and siblings, Wayne Wells (‘Wayne Static’) and Tera Lents (‘Tera Wray’). This includes but is not limited to: any behind-the-scenes footage from music videos, adult film sets, concerts, house parties, developmental projects, reality TV pilots, private photos, or any other portrayals of Wayne Wells Static, Tera Lents Wray Static, or either of their likenesses. Any attempt to exploit their unauthorized likeness will be met with the appropriate legal response.
“We strenuously object to any further exploration or exploitation of this dark and tragic chapter in their lives. Additionally, we feel that the music video for the Wayne Static song ‘Assassins Of Youth’, directed by Matt Zane and released in 2013, and the Static-X ‘Stay Alive’ music video released in 2023, thoroughly depict the dangerous lifestyle that Wayne and Tera were embracing prior to their subsequent deaths.
“Further, Static-X is nearing completion of the official Static-X documentary titled ‘Evil Disco – The Rise, Fall, And Regeneration Of Static-X’. The official documentary dives deep into the entire life’s work of Wayne Static and Static-X. The film is expected to be around 80 minutes in length and devotes the appropriate amount of time to exploring the lifestyle changes and ultimate tragedies that followed.
“If Mr. Zane is in possession of any additional rare or unseen footage that could contribute to the celebration of Wayne’s life and legacy, we kindly ask him to share the footage with our families so that we can review and consider it for potential inclusion in the official ‘Evil Disco’ documentary. Additionally, any unreleased music featuring the voice of Wayne Static or his musical compositions would require the approval of the estate before any publication or release.
“We further challenge Mr. Zane to share any musical works that he claims might contain the actual voice of Wayne Static so that we can determine their authenticity and quality for consideration. We are not interested in Wayne Static’s voice appearing within any Al-generated music. In closing, we would like to thank the Static-X fans around the world for their continued love and support for Wayne and the band. We are so proud of the band and what they have accomplished together.
“Static-X’s music is as popular as ever, and Wayne’s energy and legacy have been celebrated and regenerated through the band’s incredible return to the stage. We fully support the current team and lineup of Static-X and their continued respect and love for Wayne’s memory and our family. We are delighted that the world is continuing to celebrate the powerful music that Wayne and the band created together and the incredible energy that he and the band have always carried onto the stage.
“Sincerely, The family and estate of Wayne Wells Static & Tera Lents Static.”
MORE IN Music
