“Top Gun: Maverick” Studio Sued by Screenwriter’s Cousin Who Claims He Wrote ‘Key Scenes’ That Made Sequel a ‘Smash Hit’

Paramount Pictures is facing a lawsuit from Shaun Gray, who is the cousin of Eric Singer, the screenwriter of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Gray claims that he contributed to the film by writing crucial scenes but was never credited or compensated for his work. The lawsuit alleges that Gray’s additions to the screenplay played a significant role in making the movie a success, becoming the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career after its release on May 27, 2022.

According to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE, Gray asserts that he collaborated with his cousin Eric Singer and director Joseph Kosinski for five months on the script, where he penned key scenes that formed the central dramatic action sequences of the film. The lawsuit claims that Gray meticulously documented his contributions with time-stamped files and emails, highlighting his substantial input into the screenplay of “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Gray, who has a background in visual effects as per his IMDb page, is seeking justice and recognition for his creative work that he alleges was taken advantage of by Hollywood power players. The lawsuit demands accountability from Paramount Pictures for profiting from Gray’s contributions without proper credit or compensation. The legal action aims to shed light on the alleged exploitation of talented creatives within the industry.

This isn’t the first legal challenge faced by Paramount Pictures regarding the “Top Gun” franchise. Previously, the family of the original story’s writer for the 1986 film “Top Gun,” Ehu Yonay, sued the studio for failing to acquire the necessary rights for the sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” The Yonay family accused Paramount of violating copyright laws by proceeding with the sequel after the rights had reverted back to them under the Copyright Act.

In response to the latest lawsuit from Shaun Gray, Paramount Pictures issued a statement dismissing the claims as meritless. The studio expressed confidence that the court would reject the allegations made by Gray and reiterated their commitment to upholding legal and ethical standards within the entertainment industry. The legal dispute is ongoing, and the outcome will be awaited with interest by industry observers.

“Top Gun: Maverick” marked the return of Tom Cruise as LT Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and featured a star-studded cast including Miles Teller, Glen Powell, and the reprisal of Val Kilmer’s character, Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazanski. The action-packed sequel garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, receiving multiple Academy Award nominations and securing the title of Cruise’s highest-grossing film to date, with a global box office revenue of nearly $1.5 billion.

As the legal battle unfolds between Paramount Pictures and Shaun Gray, the case sheds light on the complexities of intellectual property rights and creative collaborations within the film industry. The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications for how creative contributions are recognized and compensated in the future, prompting a closer examination of industry practices and ethical standards in crediting and remuneration.