The Holdovers Filmmakers Sued Over Plagiarism Claims Against Oscar-Winning Movie
Stephenson alleges Payne copied major plot and character elements from an unproduced script and seeks damages and an injunction to block further exploitation.
- On Wednesday, screenwriter Simon Stephenson filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against director Alexander Payne, alleging the Oscar-winning film The Holdovers was plagiarized from his unproduced 2013 screenplay, Frisco.
- Stephenson claims Payne accessed Frisco in 2013 and 2019 before developing The Holdovers, with the suit arguing that 46 'matched incidents' were 'meticulously transposed' into the film with only cosmetic changes.
- The complaint cites a 'medical conference' reference in an early draft that lacks context in the finished film, and notes The Holdovers is structured around 'day cards' resembling Stephenson's original script.
- Payne has previously dismissed the accusations as 'the stupidest thing in the world,' while Stephenson seeks unspecified damages and a court order to prevent further exploitation of the film, which grossed roughly $46 million.
- Federal appeals courts have recently cautioned judges against early dismissal of copyright cases, suggesting that Stephenson may proceed further than plaintiffs would have a decade ago when 'reasonable minds could differ' on substantial similarity.
15 Articles
15 Articles
The makers of "The Holdovers" have been accused in a new copyright infringement lawsuit.
The Holdovers Filmmakers Sued Over Plagiarism Claims Against Oscar-Winning Movie
Photo Credit: Focus Features A new copyright infringement lawsuit targets the creative team behind one of 2023’s most celebrated films. Screenwriter Simon Stephenson filed suit on Wednesday, alleging that director Alexander Payne and writer David Hemingson lifted material from his unproduced script to create The Holdovers. Alexander Payne and David Hemingson face legal action over The Holdovers screenplay Stephenson, known for writing credits on…
Alexander Payne sued over allegations of plagiarism in script for Oscar-winning drama “The Holdovers”
Simon Stephenson accused the makers of “The Holdovers” of copying significant elements of his unproduced screenplay “Frisco.”Alexander Payne; Paul Giamatti in ‘The Holdovers’Credit: Tristan Fewings/Getty; Seacia Pavao/2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLCKey pointsSimon Stephenson filed a lawsuit accusing the makers of The Holdovers of copyright infringement.Stephenson claims that director Alexander Payne received multiple copies of his unproduced screenplay …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
