The Tea On Why This Writer is Dragging LeBron James Over New Netflix Basketball Movie
The NBA superstar, his production company and the streaming giant are the subject of a lawsuit involving the film ‘Rez Ball.’
by Stephanie Holland · The RootQuestions about who came up with a story idea are common in Hollywood. Sometimes these questions lead to lawsuits, and that’s the situation NBA superstar LeBron James finds himself in.
Suggested Reading
Steal the Looks From These Black Fashion Influencers On Instagram
What The Internet Alleges Mike Tyson, Jake Paul Did During the Fight ... Will Shake You
Shocking Details Led the Ga. Supreme Court to Uphold a Murder Conviction of Lying-Two-timing Pastor
The Netflix Kevin Hart Heist Comedy 'Lift' Is Our TV Pick This Week
Share
Subtitles
- Off
- English
Share this Video
FacebookTwitterEmail
RedditLink
view video
The Netflix Kevin Hart Heist Comedy 'Lift' Is Our TV Pick This Week
Suggested Reading
Steal the Looks From These Black Fashion Influencers On Instagram
What The Internet Alleges Mike Tyson, Jake Paul Did During the Fight ... Will Shake You
Shocking Details Led the Ga. Supreme Court to Uphold a Murder Conviction of Lying-Two-timing Pastor
The Netflix Kevin Hart Heist Comedy 'Lift' Is Our TV Pick This Week
Share
Subtitles
- Off
- English
Share this Video
FacebookTwitterEmail
RedditLink
The Netflix Kevin Hart Heist Comedy 'Lift' Is Our TV Pick This Week
According to TMZ, on ThursdayRob Grabow, a screen writer, filed a lawsuit in California federal court against James, his production company SpringHill, Netflix and others for copyright infringement and breach of contract, alleging they used ideas from his script “The Gift of the Game” as the basis for the film “Rez Ball.”
Related Content
LeBron James Museum To Open in Akron
Is This the End for LeBron James?
Related Content
LeBron James Museum To Open in Akron
Is This the End for LeBron James?
Grabow’s script follows “a Native American high schooler and his efforts to lead his basketball team to a state title.” Per Netflix, the official synopsis for “Rez Ball” reads, “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.”
Netflix’s film is based on journalist Michael Powell’s book “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation,” with Sterlin Harjo and director Sydney Freeland credited as co-writers.
Grabow alleges that “after he shared it with people close to Netflix [and] James” they “ripped off” his story for their movie. He is asking for unspecified damages.
In the lawsuit, he says the projects’ similarities are “staggering.” One example features the ending, where the hero is fouled while attempting the winning shot in the championship game.
Rez Ball | Official Trailer | Netflix
It’s worth noting that this particular trope—the star player is fouled or taken out as they make the big play—is a common one in sports movies.
“There are numerous substantially and strikingly similar concrete and expressive elements in the two works’ plot, theme, dialogue, mood, setting, pace, characters and sequence of events,” Grabow states in the suit.
As of now, Netflix, SpringHill and James haven’t responded to the suit.
If you’re curious, “Rez Ball” is now streaming on Netflix.