Paramount Pictures has filed a countersuit against Shaun Gray, the cousin of 'Top Gun: Maverick' writer Eric Warren Singer, accusing him of fraud and copyright infringement for claiming he co-wrote key scenes of the film and hiding his involvement, while Gray argues he authored major action sequences and should be credited as a co-author.
Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, has expressed excitement about writing the screenplay for the upcoming James Bond film, describing it as a 'bucket list' project. He will be working with director Denis Villeneuve, with the film produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman. Knight, a long-time Bond fan, hopes to create a film that is bold and innovative, though the casting of 007 has not yet been announced.
Martin Scorsese has written an early draft of a screenplay for a film about Jesus in response to Pope Francis's appeal to artists, with plans to shoot the 80-minute film later this year. The screenplay is based on Japanese novelist Shūsaku Endō’s book “A Life of Jesus” and is being developed with collaborator Kent Jones. Scorsese aims to portray a contemporary and intimate Jesus, reflecting on his own childhood experiences with Catholicism and seeking to make religion more accessible through his film.
The Oscar-nominated film "The Holdovers" is facing controversy just hours before the ceremony, as it has been accused of line-by-line plagiarism in its screenplay. Writer Simon Stephenson alleges that the script bears striking similarities to his unproduced 2013 screenplay "Frisco." The accusations have been presented to the Writers Guild of America, and if "The Holdovers" wins any major Oscars, it will likely be overshadowed by this controversy.
Screenwriter Simon Stephenson has accused the writer of "The Holdovers," David Hemingson, and director Alexander Payne of plagiarizing his screenplay "Frisco" for the critically acclaimed film. Despite evidence and email exchanges, the Writers Guild of America has not resolved the matter, prompting Stephenson to seek help from the board. The case has sparked internal debate within the guild, but it remains unclear where it currently stands. The allegations have surfaced during the Oscar campaign for "The Holdovers," adding an awkward layer to the situation.
Director Stephen Gaghan shared heartbreaking new details about Heath Ledger's death, revealing that Ledger was found with a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's book and Gaghan's screenplay next to him. Gaghan had envisioned Ledger as the lead in a movie adaptation of Gladwell's book, despite the role being initially intended for Leonardo DiCaprio. Gaghan recalled his deep connection with Ledger and the shock he felt when he received a call from Ledger's father after the actor's tragic death in 2008.
Yorgos Lanthimos, Tony McNamara, and Emma Stone reunite for the darkly comedic genre-bender "Poor Things," an adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, which recently won Golden Globes and received SAG Awards nominations. The screenplay, penned by McNamara, tells the story of Bella Baxter, played by Stone, who is brought back to life by a scientist and embarks on a whirlwind adventure. The film also stars Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, and Christopher Abbott. McNamara, known for "The Favourite," has also scored an Oscar nomination for this original screenplay. Lanthimos and Stone are set to collaborate on "Kinds of Kindness," an anthology film to be distributed by Searchlight.
Jonathan Glazer's historical drama "The Zone of Interest," inspired by Martin Amis' novel, is a critical success, winning awards at Cannes and making the Oscar shortlist. The film, set outside Auschwitz during the Holocaust, follows the lives of the commandant and his wife as they strive for a dream life. Glazer, who spent two years researching the area's history, aims to humanize the characters and highlight the capacity for evil in humans. The screenplay for the film is available to read.
Judd Apatow criticizes the Oscars' decision to categorize the screenplay for the upcoming Barbie movie as adapted, arguing that it's insulting to the writers as there was no existing material or story to adapt from. The decision has sparked debate, with the Writers Guild of America classifying Barbie as an original work. If the film earns an Oscar nod for its script, it will mark Greta Gerwig's fourth nomination, but Academy voting members will only be able to cast their vote for Barbie's script in the adapted screenplay category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has classified the "Barbie" movie script as an adapted screenplay for the upcoming Oscars, despite it not being based on a specific Barbie story but rather the Barbie character and brand owned by Mattel. The decision mirrors past rulings for films with preexisting characters, such as "Toy Story 3" and "Borat 2." While the film has been nominated for best original screenplay at the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes, it's uncertain if other award shows will follow the Academy's categorization. The screenplay has gained attention and is available for purchase as a book.
The screenplay for the origin story film "Wonka," directed by Paul King and co-written by Simon Farnaby, has been released. Starring Timothée Chalamet as the enigmatic candy maker, the movie has already made over $150 million worldwide and received positive reviews. The film explores how Willy became Wonka and has potential for future sequels.
Martin Scorsese's latest masterpiece, "Killers of the Flower Moon," is based on the non-fiction book by David Grann and features a screenplay written by Eric Roth. Set in the 1920s, the film explores the chilling series of murders of wealthy Osage people in Oklahoma and exposes the racial injustices and corruption of the time. The screenplay weaves a complex tale of greed and prejudice, shedding light on a forgotten chapter in American history and highlighting themes of racial discrimination and the pursuit of wealth at any cost.
The screenplay for Emerald Fennell's darkly comedic and satirical thriller, "Saltburn," has been released. The film, set in mid-2000s England, follows Oliver, an Oxford student who becomes involved with the aristocratic Catton family and experiences a summer he'll never forget. Fennell aimed to create a "vampire film" exploring the fetishization of beauty and desire. The movie stars Barry Keoghan, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, and Carey Mulligan, and is produced by Fennell and Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap.
In a new Netflix documentary, Sylvester Stallone reveals that the original screenplay for Rocky depicted the character as more thuggish and cruel. However, after a friend expressed her dislike for the character, Stallone decided to soften him by adding a girlfriend and making him more sympathetic. The film went on to become a major success, grossing $117 million at the box office and spawning a franchise. Stallone also shared that he was sent to the hospital by Dolph Lundgren during a fight scene in Rocky IV, where his heart started to swell and his blood pressure skyrocketed.
The category in which the screenplay for the film "Barbie" will compete at the Oscars is still being debated. The decision depends on how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) classifies it and whether the Academy will overrule that choice. The film's title cards indicate it is based on the Barbie toy by Mattel, suggesting an "adapted" run. However, there are examples of films with existing IP and toy products competing in the original screenplay category. The final decision will impact the film's chances of winning and will likely be determined closer to the nomination voting in January.