15 films that generated lawsuits

Have you ever imagined that, behind the screens of some of the most popular productions, legal disputes worthy of cinematic plots took place and still happen frequently? Often imperceptible to the public, actions reveal that the behind-the-scenes of cinema can also be full of intrigue, twists and challenges. A lot of bureaucracy is considered before everything is perfect to be displayed smoothly on a cinema screen.

Therefore, as a matter of curiosity, we have selected 15 productions that had an impact on the history of audiovisual not only for their plots, but mainly for their developments. Check out the biggest films that generated lawsuits below:

Killer for Hire (2024)

This year, the remake of the 1989 film sparked controversy when the screenwriter Jeremy Hill processed the Amazon for using artificial intelligence to replicate the voices of actors from the original film in the new production. He alleged copyright infringement, arguing that the practice was an attempt to speed up production before the expiration of the copyright assignment agreement. copyright. The company denied the allegations, stating that any use of the technology occurred during the film's initial edits, not by the studio. Hill asked for the release to be suspended, but the film premiered in early March on the streaming platform. streaming.

Killer for Hire introduces us Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal), a former UFC fighter, who embarks on a new job as a security guard at an inn in the Florida Keys. But what seemed like a paradisiacal refuge soon reveals itself to be a whirlwind of mysteries and challenges.

Where to watch Killer for Hire: Amazon Prime Video

Rusty (2023)

When it comes to movie lawsuits, it's impossible not to talk about Peace. At the end of 2021, a tragedy rocked the film industry when Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a firearm, hitting the director of photography Halyna hutchins, who died. An investigation revealed that the gun was loaded with live bullets, an error made by the gunsmith. Hannah Gutierrez Reed, which generated a lawsuit for both her and the actor. Reed's trial was the first to take place in the case, and in March of this year, she was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison, while Baldwin awaits his trial scheduled for July, also facing manslaughter charges.

Em Peace, we are taken to the desert setting of Kansas in 1880, where Lucas (Brady Noon), a 13-year-old boy, finds himself alone with his brother after the death of his parents. However, a tragic accident leads him to commit a fatal act against a local farmer. So, he and his grandfather (Alec Baldwin) embark on a journey of escape to avoid the hanging sentence.

The film finished recording last year, but no trailer has yet been released and there is no set release date.

Hustle (2013)

Here, the production was involved in a lawsuit due to a line in the script. In the film based on real events, the character of Jennifer Lawrence states that microwaves tend to remove nutrients from food, citing Paul Brodeur, former editor of the magazine The New Yorker, as source. However, he never made such a statement and therefore filed a US$1 million defamation lawsuit against the company. Columbia Pictures and the other producers of the project, alleging damage to their reputation. The California appeals court ruled in favor of the studio, arguing that the film's comedic tone made Brodeur's complaint unlikely to succeed.

Cheating boarding Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), an experienced cheater, who joins forces with his partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams). Soon, they find themselves forced to enter the dangerous underworld of the mafia and, at the same time, are drawn into political intrigue. However, the entry of Irving's wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), completely changes the course of events.

Where to watch Cheating: Max | Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter (2016)

During the filming of the sixth film in the saga, the stuntwoman Olivia Jackson suffered a motorcycle accident when he collided with a camera vehicle, resulting in the loss of his right arm and damage to his spinal cord. Apparently, the director Paul WS Anderson he would have directed the driver to get closer for a more dramatic shot. As a result, the professional ended up suing Anderson, but the case was rejected. However, she was successful in suing the company Bickers Actions SA, who was also involved in the scene.

Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter concludes the story with Alice (Milla Jovovich) returning to the place where it all began: Raccoon City. There, the Umbrella Corporation is gathering his forces for one last attack against the survivors of the apocalypse. To win the decisive battle and save humanity, the protagonist counts on the help of old allies and new friends that she recruits along the way.

Where to watch Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter: Netflix | Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

Back to the Future 2 (1989)

the trilogy Back to the future marked a generation, but was also affected by lawsuits at the time of the second film. This happened because not all of the original cast members were willing to return for the sequel: Claudia wells left the role of Jennifer Parker due to personal issues, while Crispin glover refused to return as George McFly due to financial disagreements. To replace him, facial prosthetics based on the actor were used, which led him to sue the Universal Pictures for violation of image rights. An agreement was reached, although, according to statements, it might have been simpler to meet Glover's demands from the beginning.

Back to the Future 2 accompanies the scientist Doc brown (Christopher Lloyd) and the young Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) on a trip to the future, in 2015, to solve a family dilemma. However, an old adversary forces them to act urgently to prevent significant changes in the course of events.

Where to watch Back to the Future 2: Star + | Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

The Raven (1994)

Brandon Lee, son of the legendary Bruce Lee, was at the height of his career when a tragedy ended his life on the set of the film, becoming a memorable case within the film industry. While filming a crucial scene, a gun loaded with live bullets accidentally went off, fatally injuring the actor. Even after an investigation, no punishment was imposed. The recordings were resumed, but Lee's mother took legal action against the company. Edward R. Pressman Film Corp. and 13 other entities and individuals, alleging that the negligence had resulted in their son’s “agonizing pain, suffering and premature death.” The case was settled out of court and the images of the death were destroyed.

The crow portrays Eric Draven (Brandon Lee), a rock musician, mysteriously resurrected a year after his tragic murder, with the help of a crow to seek revenge against those responsible for his and his fiancée's death.

Where to watch The crow: Apple TV

Sea in Fury (2000)

The film surprised not only with its visual effects at the time, but with the emotion of the narrative, especially because it was based on real events. It turns out that after its release, the family of the real Captain Tyne processed the Warner Bros. by claiming that the film distorted events in his life for commercial purposes. Other families have also filed lawsuits over the unauthorized use of their names in the film. The studio defended itself based on the Constitution that protects freedom of artistic expression, and the process continued until 2014, when Warner won.

sea ​​in rage revolves around a devastating storm that hits the seas, depicting an unusual event that only occurs once a century. With impressive waves the size of ten-story buildings and winds roaring at nearly 200 km/h, few have witnessed this phenomenon and survived to tell their tale. However, the crew of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing boat, end up finding themselves directly at this epicenter on the high seas.

Where to watch sea ​​in rage: Max | Amazon Prime Video

Camping in Hell (2010)

When the film premiered, Jesse Eisenberg He was already known in Hollywood, and was therefore surprised to appear in the little acclaimed horror film, as a favor to friends. His participation, however, was minimal, but his name and image became publicity for the project. Because of this, the actor took legal action against the distributors. Lionsgate e Grindstone Entertainment, seeking compensation of US$3 million. The argument used was freedom of expression, but apparently, it was not enough for the case to be resolved quickly. The outcome remains unknown and has not been publicly disclosed.

Camping in Hell tells the story of children from a Christian community in the suburbs of New Jersey, who go to an isolated camp in a quiet area of ​​the forest, in search of peace and spirituality. Guided by a priest, they are instructed in the values ​​of education and faith. However, unknowingly, an evil presence is drawn to the forest, turning the spiritual journey into a nightmare.

Where to watch Camping in Hell: Amazon Prime Video

Giallo – Hostages of Fear (2009)

Another successful name, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, was the director Dario Argento. However, his most recent productions did not generate repercussion, as was the case with the film starring Adrien Brody, an actor best known for his controversies and who initiated legal proceedings due to non-payment of his fee. With this, he sought to block the film's distribution and, although production was temporarily suspended by court decision, a later agreement allowed the release, which went unnoticed without achieving critical acclaim.

Giallo – Hostages of Fear takes place during Milan Fashion Week, when a mysterious murder occurs, followed by the kidnapping of the model CELINE (Elsa Pataky). His sister, Linda (Emmanuelle Seigner) seeks help from the police to find her and that's when he comes across the inspector Enzo Avolfi (Adrien Brody), an expert obsessed with tracking down a serial killer who subjects his victims to brutal torture.

Where to watch Giallo – Hostages of Fear: Apple TV

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

It is undeniable that the continuation of the classic Top Gun 1986 was successful, however, it is also one that is part of the list of films that were sued, not just once, but twice.

Barry Tubb, known for his role as Wolfman in the original film, he sued the Paramount Pictures for failure to pay for the use of your image. He claims his original contract did not cover a sequel, making the use of his photo a breach of contract. Apparently, the process is still ongoing. Furthermore, the writer's heirs Ehud Yonay also sued the studio for violating copyright, stating that the rights to the article that inspired the film expired in 2020. Despite warnings sent, Paramount released the sequel without renewing the rights. In conclusion, the final ruling stated that the film was not “substantially similar” to the original article, resulting in the studio winning the lawsuit.

Top Gun: Maverick tells the story of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (by Tom Cruise), a Navy pilot with an impressive record of combat victories. However, his career stalled, relegating him to an instructor role. In an era of technological warfare, he then faces the challenge of proving the importance of the human element amidst advanced military technology.

Where to watch Top Gun: Maverick: Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

Black Widow (2021)

The film offered fans a last glimpse of one of the most iconic characters in history. Marvel after his death in Avengers: Endgame. The actress Scarlett Johansson, who brings the protagonist to life, also took the opportunity to negotiate a generous remuneration package, including a share of box office sales. The problem is that when the Disney released the film on its streaming service on the same day as its release in theaters, largely due to the pandemic, it was affected. This ended up generating a lawsuit for breach of contract, but it was quickly resolved with a payment of US$40 million to the actress.

Black Widow tells the story of Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) facing the consequences of his alliance with the captain America after the events of the film Captain America: Civil War. Hiding from the government, she confronts dark parts of her past when a dangerous conspiracy emerges, leaving her having to reconcile her life as a spy and reconnect with her family.

Where to watch Black Widow: Disney +

The Predator: The Hunt (2022)

The screenwriters Thomas Brothers defined an era with their script for the classic film The predator 1987 and, although they sold the rights to 20th Century Fox, the acquisition of the company by Disney, consequently, brought some challenges. They sought to regain their copyrights, taking advantage of a law that allows the recovery of property after 35 years, but the company refused to give in, which generated a lawsuit against the studio for a long time. In the end, all legal disputes were voluntarily abandoned, and an amicable resolution was reached in 2022: a new film in the franchise was released with the screenwriters duly credited as executive producers.

Em The Predator: The Hunt, we are introduced to the untold story of Naru, a young warrior of the Comanche Nation in the early 18th century. Determined to protect her people, she faces danger when her camp is threatened by a mysterious creature. Armed only with primitive weapons, she sets out on a dangerous journey to confront her enemy, who turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator.

Where to watch The Predator: The Hunt: Star +

Death Gives You Congratulations (2017)

The film attracted a good audience, proven by the release of its sequel. However, the creation of the iconic villain Bayfield Babyface Killer, with his baby mask, sparked controversy. The mascot creator King Cake Baby do New Orleans Pelicans - basketball team -, Jonathan Bertuccelli, processed the Universal Pictures for copyright infringement, claiming that the character's mask in the film resembled his creation. After years, an agreement was reached, but a probable cancellation of the third film ended up making the situation practically unimportant.

Death Congratulates You presents us with Tree (Jessica Rothe), a young student with questionable attitudes, who seems uninterested in maintaining emotional ties and answering her father's calls on her birthday. However, her life takes a shocking turn when she is brutally murdered by a masked man. To her surprise, she “survives” and finds herself trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over, always ending in her death.

Where to watch Death Congratulates You: Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

Lost Soul (2009)

Despite not being acclaimed by horror fans, it was still a film that resulted in legal action for a very long time. Daniel Segal, relative of the writer Erna Segal, who in turn is the author of the book Transfers, claimed that the film's plot would be similar to that of the literary work. With this in mind, he sued the RelativityMedia in more than US$1 million for breach of contract, after an adaptation proposal was not implemented. The lawsuit was rejected in 2011, and a subsequent attempt at appeal was also unsuccessful.

Lost soul tells the story of Casey Beldon (Odette Yustmann), a young orphan who grew up without her mother. She begins to be haunted by disturbing visions of a mysterious boy, both in her dreams and in her waking life. Determined to unravel this mystery, Casey discovers a connection between herself and an evil spirit seeking reincarnation through possession. In her search for a solution, she becomes involved in an exorcism ritual conducted by the priest Sendak (Gary Oldman).

Where to watch Lost soul: Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

The Secret of the Shack (2012)

This was another film that was involved in lawsuits regarding plagiarism, since the author Peter gallagher filed a $10 million lawsuit, accusing him of copying his novel The Little White Journey: A Night in the Pines. There was no denying that the production explored a wide variety of franchises, configurations and stereotypes, much taken even from cinema classics, but that its creators felt honored, unlike Gallagher. The case was resolved within six months in favor of the filmmakers responsible for the film, with the judge ruling that the basic premise was not copyrightable.

The secret of the cabin narrates Jules (Anna Hutchinson) planning a trip to the mountains with your friends Curt (Chris Hemsworth), Days (Kristen connolly), Holden (Jesse Williams) to Ronald (Tom Lenk), staying in an isolated cabin in the middle of the forest. However, what was supposed to be a moment of pure fun between them turns out to be something beyond their expectations.

Where to watch The secret of the cabin: only available for download on the internet.

See also:

Discover the best films that recreated historical events

Discover the best films that recreated historical events

Sources: Listverse, EARTH, Mail Braziliense

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim