Plagiarism Allegations Surface Against Best Picture Nominee ‘The Holdovers’ Ahead of Oscars
In a shocking turn of events, Best Picture nominee “The Holdovers” is facing plagiarism allegations just days before the highly anticipated Oscars ceremony. Screenwriter Simon Stephenson, known for his work on popular movies such as “Luca” and “Paddington 2,” has accused the film of being “plagiarized line-by-line” from his own decade-old screenplay that was never made into a film. The allegations were revealed in emails sent by Stephenson to the Writer’s Guild of America, which were obtained by Variety.
According to Stephenson, “The Holdovers” director Alexander Payne likely came across his script for a similar movie titled “Frisco” back in 2013. The script had gained significant attention in Hollywood and even reached number three on the industry’s “black list” of most liked scripts. Stephenson meticulously compared the two films scene by scene, highlighting striking similarities in important sequences and dialogues.
Stephenson claims that Payne had access to the “Frisco” script in 2013 and again in late 2019, just before approaching first-time film writer David Hemingson about “The Holdovers.” Hemingson, who also received producing credits for the movie, is credited as the sole screenwriter for “The Holdovers.”
In a letter to the WGA board, Stephenson expressed his certainty that the screenplay for “The Holdovers” had been plagiarized from his own work. He stated, “I can demonstrate beyond any possible doubt that the meaningful entirety of the screenplay for a film with WGA-sanctioned credits that is currently on track to win a screenwriting Oscar has been plagiarized line-by-line from a popular unproduced screenplay of mine.”
Stephenson further alleges that only five parts from his “Frisco” script are not present in “The Holdovers,” including an ironic backstory about someone getting away with plagiarism. He described the similarities between the two films as “insanely brazen,” with many of the most important scenes remaining visibly identical in layout on the page.
Upon contacting the WGA, Stephenson was informed that it is not a guild issue and was referred to a Los Angeles law firm. However, he was advised that a lawsuit would be the most viable option under the circumstances. Both Stephenson and Payne declined to comment on the allegations.
“The Holdovers” has received five nominations at this year’s Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay. This revelation has cast a shadow over the film’s chances of success at the prestigious awards ceremony. Payne, who previously won two Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, is now facing a significant controversy that may tarnish his reputation in the industry.
As the Oscars draw near, the plagiarism allegations against “The Holdovers” have become a major talking point among industry insiders and film enthusiasts alike. The outcome of this controversy remains uncertain, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of originality and integrity in the world of cinema.