LeBron James and Netflix have been sued for copyright infringement by a writer who claims that the film Rez Ball rips off his script.
The sports drama, which is produced by James and is based on the book Canyon Dreams by Michael Powell, was released back in September and follows a team of Native American high school basketball players who compete for the state championship.
Writer Rob Grabow alleges in his suit that the film shares similarities with his own script The Gift of Game, which he says he shared with people connected to Rez Ball co-writer Sterlin Harjo in early 2024.
Grabow’s script was registered by the U.S. Copyright Office in January 2024, having been written in 2023, and the writer claims that he had conversations with potential collaborators who didn’t get involved and sent the script to actors and producers, some of whom were connected to Harjo.
Rez Ball itself was filmed in May 2023, though Grabow’s attorney Devin McRae has claimed that it still may infringe on copyright despite the film having already completed production by the time his own script circulated.
“We don’t know for sure that principal photography was complete then, but if it were, the 16-month period between then and the film’s release would permit plenty of time to make significant changes in post-production by, e.g., editing, pick up shots, re-shoots or voiceover,” McRae said (via Variety).
Among the similarities claimed in the suit are the scripts’ respective endings, openings and themes explored.
Rez Ball. CREDIT: Netflix/Lewis Jacobs
Rez Ball‘s logline reads: “In the heart of Chuska, New Mexico, the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team with a rich Native American heritage, faces its greatest challenge yet.
“After losing their star player, the rest of the team must come together more than ever to realize their dream of winning a state championship. This is more than just a sport, it’s a journey of resilience and unity, a true story of struggle that is deeply rooted in Native American culture.”
In other news, earlier this year an old video emerged of The Sopranos actors James Gandolfini and Edie Falco reviving their characters Tony and Carmela Soprano in an effort to encourage James to sign with the New York Knicks in 2010.
NME has reached out to Netflix for comment.
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