Screenwriter accuses Oscar-nominated film ‘The Holdovers’ of plagiarism

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A screenwriter has accused the Oscar-nominated film, “The Holdovers,” of plagiarizing a script he wrote greater than a decade in the past.

Simon Stephenson, who has labored on the movies “Luca” and “Paddington 2,” outlined his allegations in emails to the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA). 

Stephenson alleged that The Holdovers’ director, Alexander Payne, doubtless learn his script “Frisco” when it made the rounds of Hollywood’s “black list” in 2013. The record refers to an annual survey of Hollywood executives’ favourite unproduced screenplays. “Frisco” peaked at quantity three. 

The Holdovers

This picture launched by Focus Features exhibits Paul Giamatti in a scene from “The Holdovers.” (Seacia Pavao/Focus Features by way of AP)

In emails, obtained solely by Variety, Stephenson alleged that there was “overwhelming” proof that The Holdovers screenplay “has been plagiarized line-by-line” from “Frisco.” 

“[A]nybody who looks at even the briefest sample pretty much invariably uses the word ‘brazen,’” Stephenson mentioned in a single e-mail to the WGA.  

Stephenson went to lengths to match the 2 movies scene-by-scene, in addition to necessary sequences and dialogue.

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“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 reportedly wrote late final month. 

“I can also show that the director of the offending film was sent and read my screenplay on two separate occasions prior to the offending film entering development.” 

Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives of Stephenson and Payne in addition to the WGA for additional remark.

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“The Holdovers” is nominated for 5 Academy Awards, together with Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. 

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