Simon Stephenson Sues Alexander Payne for Copyright Infringement Over 'The Holdovers'
Simon Stephenson, the screenwriter behind 'Luca' and 'Paddington 2', has filed a federal lawsuit against director Alexander Payne and others, alleging that the Oscar-winning film 'The Holdovers' plagiarized his 2013 screenplay 'Frisco'. The complaint claims Payne read 'Frisco' in 2013 and 2019 before collaborating with David Hemingson, resulting in a film that shares structural and dialogue elements with the unproduced script. Stephenson seeks damages and an injunction against further distribution of the film, which grossed approximately $46 million and received five Academy Award nominations, including one for best screenplay. While Payne has acknowledged drawing from the 1935 French film 'Merlusse', the lawsuit argues that the specific architecture and stylistic quirks of 'The Holdovers' originate from 'Frisco'. This case highlights a broader trend in copyright litigation, where courts are increasingly reluctant to dismiss claims early, though plaintiffs still face a high burden of proof to establish substantial similarity beyond general ideas.
