'Stranger Things' sued for theft of concept
Film-maker Charlie Kessler says the show takes chunks from his short film
PHOTO: VARIETY
LOS ANGELES:
Creators of the hit Stranger Things have been sued for allegedly stealing the idea and concept of the show by a film-maker.
Charlie Kessler claims that brothers Matt and Ross Duffer took the idea for the sci-fi, supernatural series from his short film Montauk and a related feature film script titled The Montauk Project, according to the lawsuit, reported CNN.
https://vimeo.com/55543476
According to court documents, Kessler claims that he met and discussed his film and script with the Duffer brothers at a premiere party during the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014.
Montauk, which won an award at the Hamptons Film Festival in 2012, was a found-footage sci-fi short that told the story of a violent event that took place in the Long Island community. The premise dealt with conspiracy theories, secret government projects and the paranormal, as described in the lawsuit.
A policeman haunted by his past was among the key characters.
Stranger Things, which has two seasons under its belt with a third on the way, centers on a group of children and teens, who get wrapped up in a government conspiracy. A local police chief, played by David Harbour, is also a central character.
Montauk had been available for viewing on online platform Vimeo but the film was removed from public viewing on the afternoon of April 3, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY&t=20s
Kessler alleges he did not know that Stranger Things mirrored his own ideas until it was released in July 2016. He is suing for breach of "implied contract" and is seeking monetary damages.
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.
Creators of the hit Stranger Things have been sued for allegedly stealing the idea and concept of the show by a film-maker.
Charlie Kessler claims that brothers Matt and Ross Duffer took the idea for the sci-fi, supernatural series from his short film Montauk and a related feature film script titled The Montauk Project, according to the lawsuit, reported CNN.
https://vimeo.com/55543476
According to court documents, Kessler claims that he met and discussed his film and script with the Duffer brothers at a premiere party during the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014.
Montauk, which won an award at the Hamptons Film Festival in 2012, was a found-footage sci-fi short that told the story of a violent event that took place in the Long Island community. The premise dealt with conspiracy theories, secret government projects and the paranormal, as described in the lawsuit.
A policeman haunted by his past was among the key characters.
Stranger Things, which has two seasons under its belt with a third on the way, centers on a group of children and teens, who get wrapped up in a government conspiracy. A local police chief, played by David Harbour, is also a central character.
Montauk had been available for viewing on online platform Vimeo but the film was removed from public viewing on the afternoon of April 3, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY&t=20s
Kessler alleges he did not know that Stranger Things mirrored his own ideas until it was released in July 2016. He is suing for breach of "implied contract" and is seeking monetary damages.
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.