Paramount Pictures is involved in a legal showdown with Shaun Gray, the cousin of a writer for Top Gun: Maverick. Gray claims he co-wrote parts of the screenplay, but Paramount countersued him, alleging he concealed his contributions to pursue claims of idea theft.
The studio’s lawsuit points out that Gray hid important scenes he wrote, making them believe he did not have any role in the screenplay. They argue that his claims come only after the film’s success, suggesting he’s trying to “shake down” the studio for credit and profits.
In response, Gray’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, argues that Paramount’s claims are just intimidation tactics. He insists that Gray had a significant role in writing major action scenes in the film. This includes thrilling sequences where Tom Cruise’s character pushes a prototype fighter jet to its limits and outsmarts elite pilots during high-stakes training.
Gray, unlike other writers, never signed a work-made-for-hire agreement with Paramount. This lack of a formal contract has opened the door for Gray to claim joint authorship of the screenplay. According to court documents, multiple waves of writers contributed to the film, and Gray was brought on midway through the writing process.
The studio claims they would have taken different steps if they had known about Gray’s involvement. They could have prevented him from collaborating behind the scenes, cut scenes he wrote, or chosen not to share drafts with him.
In January 2023, Gray sent a statement through his attorney claiming he kept his contributions hidden to protect the deal with Singer, expressing concerns that revealing his involvement could jeopardize the project.
The Writers Guild of America began determining writing credits for the film in 2019, and Gray, understanding the union’s binding decision, chose not to step forward initially. Eventually, the studio asserts that because Gray did not have permission to write those scenes, he has infringed on their copyrights.
Recently, the court rejected Gray’s attempt to be recognized as a co-author of the screenplay. If successful, this could have entitled him to a share of the film’s profits.
Gray’s background includes work as a staff writer on Shantaram and roles as a writer’s assistant for The International. He has also been involved in digital art for shows like The Magicians and Two and a Half Men.
As the legal battle unfolds, it’s a compelling look into the complexities of authorship in the film industry. Writers often face tough choices about credit and compensation, and this case highlights the potential struggles behind the scenes in Hollywood. For more on copyright issues in film, you can find insights from experts at Variety.
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Top Gun: Maverick
