The Controversy Surrounding the Road House Remake Lawsuit

The screenwriter of the 1989 action film Road House has filed a lawsuit against MGM Studios and Amazon Studios, alleging copyright infringement over the upcoming Road House remake. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Central District Court in Los Angeles, claims that Amazon Studios used generative AI to clone actors’ voices to complete the remake during last year’s Hollywood strikes that had halted film production.

The complaint filed by screenwriter R. Lance Hill states that he filed a petition with the US Copyright Office in November 2021 to reclaim the rights to the screenplay on which both the original Road House and the Amazon Studios reboot are based. Despite Amazon’s acquisition of MGM’s film library, Hill claims that his original deal with United Artists, which secured the rights to the screenplay, was defined as a “work-made-for-hire”. This term means that the party that hired an individual to create work is the owner and copyright holder of that work.

Allegations of Copyright Infringement

Hill alleges that the work-for-hire clause was merely boilerplate and that Amazon ignored his copyright claims while rushing production of the remake. The lawsuit claims that Amazon took “extreme measures” such as using generative AI to complete the film. The lawsuit seeks a court order to block the release of the film, scheduled to premiere at SXSW on March 8th and stream on Prime Video on March 21st.

Amazon MGM Studios has categorically denied using AI to replace or recreate actors’ voices in the film. Spokesperson Jenna Klein stated that the studio expressly instructed the filmmakers not to use AI in the movie. Klein further added that any use of AI, if at all, would have been by the filmmakers during the editing process and not by the studio, as they controlled the editorial. Filmmakers were also instructed to remove any AI or non-SAG AFTRA actors when finishing the film.

Implications of the Lawsuit

The controversy surrounding the Road House remake lawsuit raises questions about copyright ownership, work-for-hire agreements, and the use of generative AI in film production. The outcome of this legal dispute may have far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry and how intellectual property rights are protected and enforced.

The lawsuit filed by the screenwriter of the Road House remake against MGM and Amazon Studios highlights the complex legal issues surrounding copyright ownership and the use of AI in film production. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by industry professionals and legal experts as it could set a precedent for future copyright disputes in the rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.