Lionsgate Hit With Lawsuit Alleging It Stole the John Wick Story Idea
Lionsgate and John Wick franchise players just got hit with a lawsuit claiming the action smash lifted story elements from screenwriter J.R. Wicker’s earlier script. The complaint is chasing at least $10 million in profits.
Just when you thought the John Wick universe had dodged every bullet going, along comes a brand new lawsuit straight out of left field. Yes, someone is accusing the creators of pinching the very idea behind Keanu's gun-fu saga. The allegation isn’t minor either – the screenwriter in question reckons parts of his work found their way into John Wick before the first film ever saw the inside of a cinema.
Who’s Suing Who and Why?
J.R. Wicker, an American screenwriter, has taken Lionsgate, Thunder Road Films, and John Wick creator Derek Kolstad to court. He’s claiming they copied chunks from his own screenplay – called Blood for Escobar – and he’s not just shouting about it on the internet. The case has landed in a California federal court, with Wicker demanding at least $10 million in profits from the Wick movies. Because in his mind, this isn’t just about inspiration – it’s outright copyright piracy.
What's Allegedly Been Nicked?
Here’s a breakdown, because the points raised in the complaint are oddly specific:
- Central plot: Both stories feature a widowed former assassin who’s dragged back into the criminal underworld and gets mixed up with a shadowy league of killers.
- Pet drama: The hero suffers a home invasion in which their beloved pet is murdered. That might sound familiar if you’ve ever watched the start of John Wick.
- Secret stash: Both scripts show the lead discovering hidden weapons in their own home.
- Nightclub carnage: There’s a big, violent set-piece in a nightclub. Bit of a pain if you’re just out for a quiet pint.
- Vintage motor: Both the Wick film and Wicker’s script feature a classic Ford Mustang driven by the protagonist.
- Bounty hunter betrayal: Apparently, both stories include a hired killer who initially targets the main character, only to decide to help him later on.
- Organisation turns: And, of course, the criminal syndicate the hero once belonged to eventually sets its sights on him as well.
The Berserker Behind the Scenes
Wicker’s legal team singles out the 'Scorn' script, Derek Kolstad’s original draft, claiming Kolstad 'intentionally, blatantly, and without authorization, copied' large parts of Blood for Escobar while building what eventually became John Wick. In short, they're accusing Kolstad of taking more than just inspiration from another writer's work.
Where Things Stand
Lionsgate and the other accused parties are keeping their mouths firmly shut for now – not a peep from their end. As for the case itself, no resolution yet, and it comes as the industry is having another long look at how it deals with copyright claims.