There’s a new twist to the thriller “Gone Girl” — the creative team behind the hit novel and film are being sued by an author who says the story was her idea.
Leslie Weller, of Nevada, slapped a federal lawsuit on Chicago author Gillian Flynn on Wednesday, claiming copyright infringement. Weller says the “Gone Girl” storyline ripped off her 2005 screenplay “Out of the Blue.” Weller wants all copies of “Gone Girl” impounded or destroyed and all profits from the novel or book be handed over to her.
Released in 2012, Flynn’s novel sold more than 15 million print copies and spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 37 of those in the No. 1 spot.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Flynn wrote the novel and the screenplay for the 2014 film adaptation starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris. The lawsuit, brought in U.S. District Court in Chicago, also targets Flynn’s publisher, actress Reese Witherspoon, who produced the film, and director David Fincher.
Weller’s Chicago attorney, Adam Urbanczyk, said in an email that there are “numerous striking similarities” between the stories.
The lawsuit alleges that every major twist in the story is the same, and some scenes are nearly identical. In addition to the plot, the lawsuit alleges that the structure, psychological composition, and characters in “Out of the Blue” were copied.
In an emailed statement Friday, Flynn said: “This claim is entirely without merit, and I look forward to a speedy resolution of the matter by the Court.”
The lawsuit also says Flynn may have had access to a copy of Weller’s script.
– Excerpt from an article written by Taylor Hartz for the Chicago Sun Times. Full article found here.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained within this news post and site is offered simply as a consideration to visitors who are in the entertainment industry and are seeking to learn more about various areas of entertainment, be it in film, movies, television, music, digital, new media, film financing, merchandising and/or branding. As such, the information so provided should never be construed as legal advice. If you need further assistance or legal advice for your specific matter, please do not hesitate in contacting an entertainment attorney (film, music, digital, licensing, financing) here in Los Angeles, California at The Hollywood Lawyer by(1) emailing us at info@hollywoodlawyer.com; (2) calling us at (323) 300-4184; or (3) filling out our online form.
