There’s a legal battle brewing over a photo that went up for sale this week for $25,000 of Leonardo DiCaprio and the late South African leader Nelson Mandela.
It was inscribed by Mandela to DiCaprio, but it never got to the actor.
It’s unclear how the pic, shot while DiCaprio was filming the 2006 African epic “Blood Diamond,” made it to memorabilia and autographs dealer Moments in Time, which is offering the color image, years later.
Mandela personally wrote on the image of the smiling pair: “To Leo DiCaprio, Best Wishes, Mandela, 4-8-07.” But for some reason the treasure never was sent to him.
Moments in Time says it keeps its sources confidential, but owns the image’s rights.
Upon learning of the picture’s existence Tuesday, DiCaprio’s camp said the photo is his — and he wants it.
“The photo is clearly not their property,” said a source close to the actor.
“He wants the picture. His lawyers are considering action.”
We hear Hollywood attorney Steve Warren sent a letter regarding the matter this week. But Moments in Time’s Gary Zimet shot back: “They think by trying to intimidate me that they can get the picture for free. The provenance is ironclad. Leo is welcome to buy it.”
DiCaprio and his mother, Irmelin, also met with Mandela in 2005.