Paramount is flying high with the massive success of “Top Gun: Maverick,” but the studio just got hit with a copyright lawsuit from the widow and son of the writer who inspired the original 1986 movie.
Deadline reported that a copyright suit was filed Monday in California on behalf of Shosh Yonay and Yuval Yonay. They are seeking to stop screenings and distribution of the movie and wish to be rewarded an undisclosed amount of financial compensation.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of another record-breaking weekend for “Maverick,” which some industry experts predict it could reach $1 billion in revenue over time. The Tom Cruise action sequel has already raked in $548.6 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of the actor’s career.
The lawsuit claims “Top Gun: Maverick” is “derivative” of Yonay’s original article and also asserts that Paramount is “thumbing its nose at the statute” that allows the termination of rights after 35 years, per Deadline.
They’re referring to a May 1983 article in California magazine. Writer Ehud Yonay published “Top Guns” about the pilots and program “located in a second-floor cubby of offices at the east end of Hangar One at Miramar.” The article was originally optioned and Yonay was named in the credits of the original “Top Gun” movie, the publication notes.
“Despite the 2022 Sequel clearly having derived from the Story, Paramount consciously failed to secure a new license of film and ancillary rights in the copyrighted Story following the Yonays’ recovery of their U.S. copyright on January 24, 2020,” the filing says.
“The Yonays contend and Paramount denies that the 2022 Sequel does not qualify for the ‘prior derivative works exception’ under 17 U.S.C. because it was not completed until long after January 24, 2020,” the suit contends.
Shosh and Yuval Yonay claim that they sent notice to Paramount in 2018 informing the studio that they intended to reclaim the copyright in January 2020. “Maverick” began production in May 2018.
The Younays alleged that “Maverick” didn’t finish production until 2021. The movie’s release was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s unclear when it was actually completed.
Meanwhile, Paramount insists they did not violate the copyright. “These claims are without merit, and we will defend ourselves vigorously,” a Paramount spokesperson responded to the filing.