Alison Brie and Dave Franco sued for copyright infringement over Sundance horror ‘Together'
Alison Brie and Dave Franco are facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over their new film Together, which premiered at Sundance and was acquired by Neon for a reported $17 million. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by StudioFest, alleges that the film is a 'blatant rip-off' of Better Half, a 2023 independent feature written and directed by Patrick Henry Phelan.
According to the complaint, Together closely mirrors the central concept of Better Half, in which a man and woman find themselves physically fused together following a one-night stand. StudioFest alleges that the similarities go beyond basic premise, citing nearly identical sequences and themes, including a 'near verbatim' quote from Plato's Symposium, scenes involving desperate separation attempts, and an ending involving the Spice Girls' Spiceworld album.
The lawsuit claims that Brie and Franco were pitched Better Half in 2020 by WME, their talent agency, but turned it down. StudioFest asserts that the couple, along with their agency, later pursued the concept independently with another writer. 'They wanted to produce the film themselves and have WME package the project,' the complaint alleges.
Producers Jess Jacklin and Charles Beale reportedly discovered Together the day before its Sundance premiere. After attending the screening, they said they were 'stunned' by the resemblance. 'Scene after scene confirmed that Defendants did not simply take 'stock ideas'... but stole virtually every unique aspect of Better Half's copyrightable expression,' the filing states.
Named defendants include Brie, Franco, WME, writer-director Michael Shanks, and distributor Neon. In a statement, WME dismissed the lawsuit as 'frivolous and without merit,' adding that they intend to 'vigorously defend' against the claims.
Together is set for theatrical release on August 1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Why Twinkle Khanna calls Labubu dolls her new 'platonic love'
Twinkle Khanna recently took to social media to share her thoughts on the soaring popularity of Pop Mart's collectibles, particularly the Labubus series sold in blind boxes. The excitement, she explains, lies in the surprise element - buyers don't know which character they'll get until they open the box, making each reveal a special moment. In a witty and philosophical post, Twinkle describes Labubus as the new object of her "platonic love. " She references Plato's Symposium, highlighting how loving a concept or an object, unlike a person, can never hurt or leave you. While Labubus figures can't love back, they also don't walk away - unless, of course, they're stolen. Sharing her series of photos with Labubu dolls, the 'Mela' actress wrote, "The secret of Pop Mart's success-the thrill of surprise. Labubus are sold in blind boxes, so you don't know what you're getting until you open it. Labubus are the new recipients of my platonic love.' I tell the man of the house. 'In Plato's 'Symposium', Socrates says love for a person makes you vulnerable. They may leave or die." "But loving a concept: astronomy, justice, literature can't hurt you. It won't leave. That is the origin of the term 'platonic love', by the way. Labubus can't love you back but they can't leave you either. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Unless they are stolen. Hey, should we insure our Labubus,' I ask. 'Does this Labubu chap also sell blind boxes for new wives,' he says with a sigh," she added. Labubu dolls, the charming Nordic-inspired figures, have become a huge sensation, appearing everywhere - from collectibles to even adorning designer bags. What many might not realize is that these popular toys are part of a larger collection licensed by Pop Mart a Chinese company that owns a wide range of figurines and blind box products. Labubu is just one of the many successful lines under Pop Mart's expanding portfolio. Twinkle Khanna drops a video with husband Akshay Kumar saying, 'We are smiling a bit more in front of the cameras' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Even Twinkle Khanna is obsessed with 'creepy' Labubu dolls; reveals daughter Nitara told her 'it's not ok for your age'
Labubu dolls have taken the world by storm, and it's no surprise why celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and BLACKPINK's Lisa are obsessed with them. Actor Ananya Panday was recently seen carrying a Labubu doll at the airport, further fueling the trend. Now, in her June 7 column for The Times of India, Twinkle Khanna shared her own experience with Labubu dolls. Also read | What are Labubu dolls? Where to get the 2025's viral collectibles? These quirky plush toys, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015, feature spiky teeth and cheeky smiles, making them a unique fashion statement. Reflecting on Labubu dolls' cult following, Twinkle shared that they have become such a coveted collectible that even she can't get enough of them. The actor-turned-author wrote in her column, 'My younger one (daughter Nitara) and I are debating who gets to hang the Coke-wielding Labubu on their bag today. This is unprecedented in our household — she usually leans toward Mr Beast sweatshirts, and my sartorial attempts are an ambiguous puddle of mostly Zara, sometimes what the Devil Wears (Prada), and God's favourite (if she hasn't lost everything in the stock market) Hermes. My daughter wins this contest with a simple fact, 'Mom, Labubu is a toy. I'm a child. You're an adult. It's like me wearing your big gold ring to school. It's not OK for your age.' Shamed by my own child, I give in. She hangs it on her backpack and rushes off to school.' On June 8, Twinkle also shared an Instagram post with a photo of herself posing with no one or two but four Labubu dolls and wrote in her caption, 'The secret of Pop Mart's success-the thrill of surprise. Labubus are sold in blind boxes, so you don't know what you're getting until you open it. Labubus are the new recipients of my platonic love.' I tell the man of the house. 'In Plato's 'Symposium', Socrates says love for a person makes you vulnerable. They may leave or die. But loving a concept: astronomy, justice, literature can't hurt you. It won't leave. That is the origin of the term 'platonic love', by the way. Labubus can't love you back but they can't leave you either. Unless they are stolen. Hey, should we insure our Labubus,' I ask. 'Does this Labubu chap also sell blind boxes for new wives,' he says with a sigh.' Check out her post: A post shared by Twinkle Khanna (@twinklerkhanna) In her column, Twinkle also shared actor-husband Akshay Kumar's reaction to her fixation with Labubu dolls, which she sees as a sought-after accessory and way to add personality and whimsy to her style. She also believes that engaging with Labubu dolls provides a comfortable escape into happier times. Recalling a conversation with Akshay, Twinkle wrote, 'I hang three Labubus on my bag as we leave for dinner. When my husband asks why I've taken them from our daughter, I say, 'For philosophical, anthropological, and psychological reasons. You know we're wired to find big-eyed things cute, whether they are penguins with or without Marathi names or Labubus. That reminds me, are you having trouble with the casting of Hera Pheri 3... 'Please leave films to me.' he says, 'Focus on your creepy dolls.' I try explaining that a Labubu is simple to chase. Not like ambition or profit margins or self-worth. Real reinvention takes effort — therapy, sabbaticals, new degrees. Fashion is the lazy shortcut to reinvention. The reason we shift from skinny jeans to flares, ballet flats to jelly shoes. Or hang a fuzzy monster on our bags in a quest to update our identities.' According to a June 3 report on Labubus, small monster-like toys inspired by Nordic mythology sold by Chinese retailer Pop Mart, typically sell for between $20 and $30 and come in 'blind boxes', so the buyer doesn't know what color or design the doll has until the box is opened. The reported added that the hashtag 'labubu' has been used in 32,000 TikTok posts over the past week in the US alone and in more than 1 million posts overall, according to TikTok analytics.
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Pink Villa
Sentimental Value: Grand Prix Winning Film Eyes Thanksgiving Release Amid Neon Studios Gearing Up for Award Campaign, DEETS
Sentimental Value, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Grand Prix award, is headed to theaters in November. The Joachim Trier directorial will be stretched till the Thanksgiving period, and the limited release will help the movie to contend in the award season, especially the Oscars. As per the reports of Variety, Neon studios is planning a robust campaign for the film, as it received rave reviews during the Cannes premiere. Moreover, the studios rode high throughout the Cannes Film Festival. Not only did it premiere Sentimental Value, but it also acquired rights to the North American film The Secret Agent and Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident. The latter movie won the Palme d'Or. What is Sentimental Value about? As for the plot of Sentimental Value, the movie revolves around a stage actress and her sister, who reunite with their estranged father, who is a director. After one of the daughters declines their father's offer to portray a role in her father's movie, the role goes to a popular film actress. According to the official synopsis of the film uploaded on the official Cannes Film Festival website, 'Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star.' The movie has one of the most talented casts, which includes Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning, Cory Michael Smith, and Anders Danielsen Lie. Neon's previous projects The Neon studios, apart from Sentimental Value, are also known for the well-acclaimed projects like Anora and The Worst Person in the World. While Anora swept the Academy Awards in 2025, The Worst Person in the World also made it to the Oscar nominations for the best international feature and best original screenplay. Neon also helped Parasite head to the Oscars in the previous years. Sentimental Value will hit the screens on November 7.
