Archive · 1 Aug 2025
Mixed Ruling in 'Top Gun: Maverick' Script Lawsuit
A judge is deciding who gets credit (and money) for writing the 'Top Gun: Maverick' movie.
A writer, Shaun Gray, says he helped write it.
The judge decided that Gray won't get money from the movie profits yet, but Gray is still allowed to argue he should get credit for his script contribution.
The situation is still ongoing, with the judge to explain his decision later.
The outcome could affect future 'Top Gun' films and Paramount's business.
Judge Rakoff issued a mixed ruling regarding the 'Top Gun: Maverick' script lawsuit.
The court dismissed the joint authorship and ownership claim but upheld the copyright infringement claim.
Shaun Gray, who claims to have contributed to the script, won't receive backend profits, for now.
The ruling has implications with a third 'Top Gun' film planned and Skydance's Paramount purchase.
Neither Paramount nor Gray's legal team commented on the ruling.
- Who
- Judge Jed S. Rakoff, Paramount, and screenwriter Shaun Gray are involved.
- What
- A judge ruled on a lawsuit regarding the script for 'Top Gun: Maverick'.
- When
- The ruling was issued on July 30th.
- Where
- The case is in a New York City federal court.
- Why
- The lawsuit concerns the script's authorship and copyright infringement.
Shaun Gray
Paramount
Script Contribution
Shaun Gray
Gray argues he contributed key scenes and deserves credit.
Paramount
Paramount disputes Gray's claims of substantial contribution.
- Film
- Top Gun: Maverick
- Plaintiff
- Shaun Gray
- Defendant
- Paramount
- Judge
- Jed S. Rakoff
- Box Office
- $1.5 billion