Award-winning screenwriter Simon Stephenson has recently found himself at the center of a controversy involving alleged plagiarism on a high-profile project. Stephenson reached out to the Writers Guild of America with claims that his screenplay, ‘Frisco,’ had been plagiarized line-by-line for the script of ‘The Holdovers.’
Emails shared with the guild suggest that Alexander Payne, one of the directors of ‘The Holdovers,’ may have had access to Stephenson’s screenplay before collaborating with another writer on the project. Despite the evidence provided, the WGA has stated that plagiarism and copyright infringement fall outside of its jurisdiction, advising Stephenson to pursue legal action instead.
The case has sparked debates within the industry about the risks of plagiarism in a digital age where script comparison technology is prevalent. Adding an awkward layer to the situation, Payne and Stephenson are both represented by the same agency.
‘The Holdovers’ has been nominated for the original screenplay Oscar, drawing attention to the alleged plagiarism issue in the midst of awards season. Stephenson has pointed out that there are significant similarities between the two screenplays, including a scene about plagiarism.
As the dispute continues to unfold, Stephenson remains determined to push for an investigation by the WGA, shedding light on the challenges faced by screenwriters in protecting their intellectual property in the competitive world of Hollywood.
