Djimon Hounsou and his baby mama, Ri’za Marie Simpson, are taking their feud to a judge!

The former lovebirds are now heading to court to settle their custody and child support once and for all, for the sake of their two kids, whom they welcomed in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Djimon Hounsou and Ri’za Marie Simpson separated in 2024 and continued to co-parent and cohabitate in the actor’s Atlanta hometown until a domestic dispute broke out between them.

Djimon Hounsou Wants Joint Legal And Physical Custody

The media personality reportedly filed the papers in late January to seek joint legal and physical custody of their two children.

His estranged partner was reportedly on board to be awarded legal custody, but insisted that she be awarded primary physical custody due to their employment and travel patterns.

Alongside her request, Simpson added that she be given financial support due to the crushing effect of their split on her finances.

The latest legal development in the former couple’s dynamics occurred after Simpson was arrested for alleged assault.  

As stated by TMZ, the actor had called the police in Atlanta last December with claims that his then-girlfriend struck her across the face when he asked her to leave his house.

Simpson was eventually taken into custody on charges of simple assault and obstruction for allegedly providing false information to officers.

Ri’za Marie Simpson Was Slammed With A Restriction Order In January

In January, The Blast shared that the media personality’s former girlfriend moved to file for a restraining order following a heated exchange at his home.

In her filing, Simpson made allegations of wrongful arrest, noting that she had experienced financial abuse and an attempted unlawful eviction at the hands of Hounsou. 

Simpson also referred to a separate incident from last October, accusing Hounsou of raising his voice at her in front of their children and getting “nose-to-nose” with her during a heated exchange.

Simpson’s request was subsequently partially granted, with the presiding judge issuing a temporary protective order against Hounsou. 

The order reportedly required the actor to remain 200 yards away from Simpson and her children and prohibited him from contacting her until their hearing in February.

In response to the situation, Hounsou shared a video of the two in the hours leading up to Simpson’s arrest as she was getting ready to leave the state for vacation.

In the process of the exchange, Simpson had asked for the return of her keys and said to Hounsou that she did not have the right to send her away from the house.

She then threatened to call the police, to which Hounsou, in turn, deemed his ex to be bitter and not able to let the past go.

Filing A Restraining Order Was Not Djimon Hounsou’s Former Girlfriend’s Initial Plan

Prior to filing the restraining order, Simpson said she still believed she could deal with the situation between herself and Djimon Hounsou in private, with respect and good communication.

In spite of the tensions that still continued, her attention was on how to get through the situation peacefully.

However, Simpson claimed that Hounsou altered the security system at the house and introduced an additional code for the garage, making it impossible for her to gain entry.

Despite this, she said she does not think the actor is a threat or an enemy, but rather the father of their two young children. 

She admitted that over the years, she has been trying to be supportive, empowering, and work with him in both his personal and professional life.

Simpson acknowledged that the biggest fear in his mind has always been how to keep the kids out of the crossfire of the war. 

She expressed her hope that they will be able to balance and unite in the future for the benefit of their families and their children.

This Present Custody Battle Is Not Hounsou’s First Rodeo

Kimora Lee Simmons and Hounsou have coparented without drama for a while when it came to their 10-year-old son, Kenzo, until 2019, when the former couple moved toward formalizing an official custody agreement.

The renewed attention on their parenting dynamic came after Hounsou expressed disappointment over not seeing his son on Father’s Day, and suggested that Simmons may have played a role in the situation.

However, sources close to the model reportedly disputed that claim, insisting Hounsou has always been free to see his son whenever he wanted but allegedly has not consistently taken advantage of that opportunity. 

Another factor complicating the arrangement is Hounsou’s frequent travel to his home country of Benin in West Africa, while Kenzo primarily resides with his mother in the United States.

However, insiders confirmed that both parents are now focused on creating a structured custody plan that prioritizes stability and the best possible outcome for their son.

Djimon Hounsou Lost His Spot On ‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’

Away from the drama in his private life, a creative project featuring the actor, which is the live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon 2,”  made a significant casting change.

As noted by The Blast, there was no news of Hounsou being attached to the project in the upcoming remake. 

The actor was reportedly replaced by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who will now be Drogo as the franchise goes from animation to live-action.

Drogo Bludvist, who was originally planned to be the main antagonist, was a character in the animated sequel; described as a ferocious dragon huntsman who wanted to control, not coexist harmoniously with, dragons. 

In previous animated movies, Hounsou was the voice of the antagonist, who a different actor will now play in the live-action adaptation.

Despite the casting shake-up, the film has retained much of its core ensemble. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, and Julian Dennison are all set to return.

At the same time, Cate Blanchett has also been confirmed to reprise her role as Valka, a character she voiced in the animated franchise.

Will Djimon Hounsou and Ri’Za Marie Simpson work things out?