The Holdovers Facing Plagiarism Controversy
Controversy surrounds Alexander Payne’s awards contender, ‘The Holdovers’, just before Oscars
‘The Holdovers’
Focus Features
Similarities Between Scripts Raise Plagiarism Accusations
The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti and written by David Hemingson has been nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar but is now engulfed in a plagiarism controversy. The script has drawn comparisons with an unproduced screenplay called Frisco, written by Simon Stephenson, who claims the story, structure, scenes, sequencing, and other elements have been directly copied from his work.
Script Similarities Cause a Stir
Stephenson has presented evidence documenting the striking resemblances between both screenplays to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) since the beginning of this year. Payne has allegedly seen drafts of the ‘Frisco’ script in the past, leaving speculations about whether there was actual plagiarism or a coincidence that sparked the resemblance.
Highlighted Similarities Between the Two Scripts
Among the similarities analyzed by Stephenson, one example is a scene involving the main characters being confronted by higher authority figures, creating tension and conflict. Although these similarities have raised red flags, a rigorous investigation is required to evaluate the allegations accurately.
Response from the Industry
Representatives for the WGA, Payne, Hemingson, and Stephenson have yet to comment on these allegations. The nomination for the Best Original Screenplay award is still being considered for ‘The Holdovers’ alongside other exceptional films vying for the prestigious award at the Oscars.
Origins of ‘The Holdovers’
In a previous interview, both Alexander Payne and David Hemingson shared insights on ‘The Holdovers’ origins. Payne, the acclaimed director, admitted his long-standing desire to create a film set at a boarding school. Hemingson, the scriptwriter, inadvertently caught Payne’s attention with his own script on a school-based story, leading to the collaboration that birthed ‘The Holdovers.’
