The world awaits Empire‘s return to the airwaves for their season 2 premiere, but there’s at least one person who’s clearly not a fan of Lee Daniels, the popular show’s co-creator.

In a recent interview about the upcoming premiere, Daniels comments on Howard’s domestic struggles, stating:

“[Terrence] ain’t done nothing different than Marlon Brando or Sean Penn, and all of a sudden he’s some f—in’ demon,”

That’s a sign of the time, of race, of where we are right now in America.”

Apparently actor Sean Penn didn’t appreciate the comparison and he has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Daniels seeking damages for defamation.

Details about Sean Penn’s defamation claims + read full court documents below…

According to the Hollywood Reporter,

Sean Penn has filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Empire creator Lee Daniels. The complaint, filed Tuesday in New York Supreme Court, asserts that in Daniels’ recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Penn was falsely accused of hitting women by being likened to Empire star Terrence Howard.

Penn has retained former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart, who declined to comment but referred THR to the first paragraph of the complaint, which states,

“As a result of Penn’s status as a public figure, he has for years been the subject of scandalous, scurrilous, and baseless attacks. But Penn, like any citizen, has a right to defend himself and will no longer tolerate the reckless and malicious behavior of others, who seek to aggrandize themselves or their projects at his expense. Accordingly, and because of Daniels’ defamatory statements, Penn brings this action for monetary relief, and to deter Daniels and others from their defamatory actions.”

Penn thinks it’s improper that Daniels came to Howard’s defense as “apparently part of a misguided campaign to profit and further bolster and brand his show Empire (on the eve of the Emmy Awards, when the statements were made).”

“Third, and most problematic,” continues the lawsuit, which mentions Penn’s accolades, including Oscar wins for Milk and Mystic River and charitable endeavors, “Daniels falsely equates Penn with Howard, even though, while he has certainly had several brushes with the law, Penn (unlike Howard) has never been arrested, much less convicted, for domestic violence, as his ex-wives (including Madonna) would confirm and attest.”

CLICK HERE to read Penn’s full complaint.

An A-list actor is actually coming for Daniels?? This can’t be real life. It’s certainly an interesting turn of events for a man many seem to feel can do no wrong these days.

Whatever the case, Penn is clearly not here for Daniels and wants his name kept out of his mouth!

What do you think about this sticky legal situation?