Paramount Pictures is facing a lawsuit from Shaun Gray, a cousin of screenwriter Eric Singer, who claims he wrote key scenes for the Oscar-winning film Top Gun: Maverick without being credited or compensated. The lawsuit alleges that Gray’s contributions to the screenplay contributed to the film’s success and seeks justice for his exploitation by Hollywood power players.
Gray, a visual effects expert, worked on the script for five months with his cousin Eric Singer and director Joseph Kosinski, including writing critical scenes that became central to the film’s action sequences. The lawsuit claims that Paramount misappropriated Gray’s creative work and profited significantly from it.
This is not the first time Paramount has faced a copyright infringement lawsuit related to Top Gun: Maverick. In 2022, the family of the original story’s author, Ehu Yonay, sued the studio for allegedly violating their copyright by releasing the sequel without acquiring the necessary rights. The case was dismissed last year but remains on appeal.
The film, which debuted in May 2022, became a massive hit, grossing nearly $1.5 billion globally and winning several awards, including Best Sound at the 95th Academy Awards. Tom Cruise reprised his iconic role as Maverick, alongside Miles Teller, Glen Powell, and Val Kilmer’s return as Iceman.
Source: https://people.com/top-gun-maverick-studio-sued-by-screenwriter-cousin-11723531