Anticipation is rising for “Together,” a new body horror film featuring stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Neon acquired the project for a staggering $17 million during the Sundance Film Festival, drawing significant attention. However, the film is now entangled in a copyright lawsuit that alleges it has “blatantly” copied concepts from the 2023 black comedy “Better Half,” penned by Patrick Phelan.
The lawsuit, initiated by the producers of “Better Half,” StudioFest, names director Michael Shanks, as well as the film’s leads Franco and Brie, alongside Neon and the talent agency William Morris Endeavor. The complaint reveals that StudioFest had previously optioned Phelan’s script in 2019 and pitched the film to Franco and Brie via their representatives in late 2020, providing a complete script with the offer.
This unfolding legal matter comes at a time when discussions of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry are increasingly becoming front-page news. The complexities of such disputes highlight the challenges directors and producers face in developing original content while avoiding potential legal battles.
As the case develops, it’s essential to consider the industry’s efforts to foster innovation within a framework of respect for creators’ rights. Both “Together” and “Better Half” reflect the creative endeavors that define contemporary cinema, even as they navigate the tumultuous waters of copyright law. The hope is that the resolution of this legal issue will encourage both artistic expression and adherence to intellectual property rights, promoting a more fair and robust creative landscape moving forward.
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