Screenwriter Simon Stephenson Alleges Plagiarism in Oscar-Nominated Film ‘The Holdovers’
A shocking allegation of plagiarism has rocked the film industry as screenwriter Simon Stephenson accuses the critically acclaimed film ‘The Holdovers’ of plagiarizing his own screenplay, ‘Frisco.’ The controversy has cast a shadow over the Oscar-nominated film, which is considered a frontrunner for the Best Original Screenplay award. Stephenson’s claims have sparked a protracted back-and-forth between him and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), leaving the matter unresolved.
Stephenson, known for his work on films like Pixar’s “Luca” and StudioCanal’s “Paddington 2,” reached out to Lesley Mackey, the senior director of credits at WGA, in an email on January 12. In the email exchange reviewed by Variety, Stephenson expressed his concerns about a “credits-related issue” on a high-profile WGA-covered project. He later claimed that the evidence of plagiarism in ‘The Holdovers’ was “genuinely overwhelming.”
The heart of Stephenson’s complaint lies in the contention that director Alexander Payne had access to his screenplay ‘Frisco’ in 2013 and again in late 2019, just before approaching David Hemingson to collaborate on ‘The Holdovers.’ Emails between Hollywood agencies and producers seem to support Stephenson’s claim. However, both Payne and Hemingson have declined to comment on the matter.
Stephenson’s emails to the WGA board and his subsequent exchange with WGA West associate counsel Leila Azari shed light on the ongoing dispute. Despite being members of the guild, the WGA has stated that plagiarism and copyright infringement issues are not arbitrable under their jurisdiction. Azari suggested that Stephenson pursue legal action instead.
The allegations have sparked internal debate within the WGA, with some officers expressing concern over the situation. However, the current status of the case within the guild remains unclear. Stephenson’s push for an investigation coincides with the Oscar campaign for ‘The Holdovers,’ adding further tension to the situation.
Plagiarism cases in the film industry are relatively rare, with notable examples like Art Buchwald’s successful lawsuit against Paramount over “Coming to America.” The rise of technology and AI programs capable of pattern recognition has raised concerns about the future of plagiarism cases. Stephenson’s case may serve as a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
The controversy surrounding ‘The Holdovers’ is further complicated by the professional relationships involved. Payne is a client of CAA, the same agency that represents Stephenson, while Hemingson is represented by WME. The film will compete for the Best Original Screenplay award against other contenders like “Maestro,” “May December,” and “Past Lives.”
Stephenson claims that only a few elements in ‘The Holdovers’ do not bear any relation to his screenplay ‘Frisco.’ Ironically, one of these unique elements is a scene in which Paul Giamatti’s character recounts a story about plagiarism, which negatively impacts his life. The outcome of Stephenson’s allegations remains uncertain, leaving the film industry and fans eagerly awaiting a resolution to this gripping controversy.