POWERBALL winner Edwin Castro’s legal battle has caught the attention of a top film production company that wants to feature the drama in a new documentary.

The 31-year-old is being sued by a man named Jose Rivera, who claims he bought the $2.04billion ticket before the November 2022 draw, and subsequently lost it.

He alleges his former landlord, Urachi F. Romero, known as “Reggie,” stole the ticket before Castro cashed it in, although they have strenuously denied the claims.

Castro’s lawyer, David De Paoli, told The U.S. Sun they are pushing to get access to CCTV footage of the ticket being purchased at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California.

The California Lottery Commission, which stands by its named winner, is in possession of the video, which has not yet been viewed by Castro or either side’s legal teams.

The U.S. Sun can reveal the case, which has been making headlines since the civil suit was filed in February, could now feature on the small screen.

Independent company Marwar Junction Productions, founded by Joseph Freed and Allison Berkley, has shown interest in the story.

Marwar is a serious player in the documentary field and Freed and Berkley first worked together on CBS Television’s syndicated talk show Rachael Ray, which brought them both Emmy nominations.

According to their online bio: “Freed and Berkley have displayed a unique approach to storytelling across all genres including Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography (A&E),  Earth To Ned (Disney+), and Eli Roth’s History of Horror (AMC).”

CAMERA REQUEST

Adam Samson, Vice President Of Development at Marwar Junction Productions, put in an order for them to film the most recent hearing for the Castro case, but a judge denied the request to have TV cameras in the courtroom. 

They still attended the session, however, and The U.S. Sun has learned they are now in contact with Castro’s attorney and hope to discuss the case with him at length.

De Paoli has confirmed they have had a brief discussion about the documentary after meeting at court.

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It is understood the company wants to feature Castro’s lawsuit as part of a film or mini-series about lottery scandals, with the view of pitching it to major streaming services such as Amazon.

Books have already been written about everything from rigged lottery draws to stolen tickets in the past, and there are a number of smaller documentaries on specific cases.

The U.S. Sun, which has followed every twist and turn of the case for months, has reached out to Marwar Junction Productions and Castro’s lawyer for comment about the documentary.

Meanwhile, the most recent hearing at Alhambra Superior Court saw the case thrown into chaos again and the conference management hearing delayed.

Judge William A. Crowfoot told the court that a first amended complaint had been filed, meaning “everybody has been named again, but nobody has been served.”

CASE CHAOS

Rivera’s lawyer, Estela Richeda, appeared via video call and insisted that she had spoken to De Paoli and Castro had been properly served the previous complaint.

She claimed that she told the attorney she would now file a first amended complaint before he could file a demurrer, which is a written response to the lawsuit.

Judge Crowfoot claimed “none of the proofs of service” are on the court docket, after which Richeda again insisted he had been served with the original complaint.

“OK. Mr De Paoli is standing here in front of me telling me he’s waiting to be served,” Crowfoot added, saying he was keen to file his demurrer to the complaint.

Judge Crowfoot said: “Go ahead and serve, he’ll file his demurrer and life will go on.”

The case management conference has now been pushed back to February 27, 2024.

Despite the case dragging on, Castro has been enjoying his winnings and has already plunked down some serious cash on a multi-million-dollar home in the Hollywood Hills.

He was also seen in an exclusive photograph published by The U.S. Sun this month eyeing up a $1.6million Mercedes at a luxury car show gullwing after already purchasing a vintage Porsche.