A recent report by Variety has brought to light allegations of plagiarism surrounding the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Focus Features’ acclaimed film The Holdovers.
British screenwriter Simon Stephenson claims that the screenplay for The Holdovers bears striking similarities to his own 2013 Black List spec script titled Frisco.
The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne, boasts David Hemingson as its sole credited screenwriter. Hemingson, known for his work in television including shows like Just Shoot Me! and How I Met Your Mother, transitioned to his first feature film project with The Holdovers.
IndieWire reached out to Focus Features, the Writers Guild of America West (WGA West), as well as representatives for Payne, Hemingson, and Stephenson for comment on the matter, but responses are pending.
Simon Stephenson, credited as a co-writer on Pixar’s Luca and known for his work on Paddington 2, is developing his novel Set My Heart to Five with Edgar Wright set to direct for Universal.
Stephenson alleges that Payne likely had access to his script Frisco before working on The Holdovers. The plot of Frisco revolves around a pediatric allergist facing divorce who learns life lessons from a terminally ill 15-year-old patient. In contrast, The Holdovers tells the story of a prep school history teacher who cares for a 15-year-old student.
Variety’s report suggests a timeline where Payne might have encountered Stephenson’s script before beginning work on The Holdovers. Despite claims of involvement in shaping the screenplay, Payne has opted not to take a screen credit for his contributions.
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The WGA typically does not investigate plagiarism claims related to spec scripts, but Stephenson’s assertion has sparked discussions within the guild. Studios often reject spec scripts to avoid potential plagiarism issues.
The Holdovers, along with David Hemingson, is nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar at the upcoming Academy Awards on March 10. The film faces competition from Anatomy of a Fall, Maestro, May December, and Past Lives.
As the controversy unfolds, the integrity of the Oscar-nominated screenplay and its origins remains under scrutiny in the lead-up to Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony.
The 96th Academy Awards will air on ABC, this Sunday March 10 at 7 PM EST/ 6 PM CST/ 4 PST.
For more Academy Awards coverage, click here.
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