Controversy Surrounds Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” Script Ahead of Oscars
As the highly anticipated Oscars draw near, controversy has erupted surrounding Alexander Payne’s awards contender, “The Holdovers.” The script, penned by David Hemingson, has been nominated for Best Original Screenplay, but it is now facing allegations of plagiarism from writer Simon Stephenson, known for his work on “Luca” and “Paddington 2.”
“The Holdovers” follows the story of a cynical teacher, played by Paul Giamatti, who unexpectedly finds himself responsible for a teenage boy, portrayed by Dominic Sessa, during the Christmas break at a boarding school. However, Stephenson claims that the script bears striking similarities to his own unproduced screenplay titled “Frisco.” This screenplay gained notoriety in 2013 when it made it onto the prestigious Black List, which recognizes outstanding unproduced screenplays.
Stephenson has prepared documents comparing scenes and overall structure from both screenplays. In January, he reached out to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) seeking assistance. Variety obtained one of these documents and reported on the matter. According to the document, drafts of the “Frisco” script were sent to Payne in 2013 and 2019 in an attempt to involve him in the project.
The document claims that “The Holdovers” has copied the entirety of the “Frisco” screenplay through transposition. It alleges that the story, structure, sequencing, scenes, dialogue, characters, arcs, relationships, theme, and tone have all been replicated line-for-line. Stephenson argues that numerous unique and highly specific elements from “Frisco” can be easily identified in “The Holdovers.”
One example highlighted by Stephenson is an early moment in both screenplays where the protagonist is summoned to face consequences for their actions. In “The Holdovers,” Giamatti’s character fails the son of a U.S. senator, while in “Frisco,” the doctor protagonist insults a U.S. congresswoman, who happens to be the mother of his patient.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to representatives for the WGA, Payne, Hemingson, and Stephenson for comment. Both Payne and Stephenson are represented by CAA, while Hemingson is with WME.
Despite the controversy, “The Holdovers” is still in the running for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. It faces tough competition from films like “Maestro,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “May December,” and “Past Lives.” The voting window for the Oscars closed late last month.
In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Payne and Hemingson discussed the origins of “The Holdovers.” Payne expressed his long-standing desire to create a film set at a boarding school, while Hemingson had previously written an unproduced TV pilot with a similar setting. When Payne came across Hemingson’s pilot script, he reached out to the screenwriter, leading to their collaboration on “The Holdovers.”
Hemingson recalled his initial disbelief when he received a call from Payne. He initially thought it was a prank until he saw the Omaha area code and realized it was indeed Alexander Payne. The acclaimed director pitched the idea of a film about a socially challenged professor stuck at school over Christmas, and Hemingson eagerly accepted the opportunity to write it.
As the controversy surrounding “The Holdovers” continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact its chances at the Oscars. The allegations of plagiarism have cast a shadow over the film’s nomination, leaving audiences and industry insiders curious about the outcome.
