The family of the writer whose article inspired the film about elite fighter pilots, known for launching the story of a famous aviator in the early days of the franchise, has filed a copyright lawsuit against Paramount Pictures. The claim centers on alleged infringement tied to the second installment of the movie series.
Filing documents were submitted in a California federal court earlier this week, with local media confirming the case. The plaintiffs argue that the 1983 article, written by a foreign correspondent, laid the groundwork for the film’s central premise. The heirs assert that the original work is protected by copyright and that subsequent uses in the movie did not receive proper authorization.
According to the reporting from a prominent U.S. magazine, the lawsuit is being pursued by the widow and son of the journalist who produced the article decades ago. The complaint contends that the rights associated with that narrative were not fully cleared for use in the film series, raising questions about derivative works and permissions.
The complaint claims the film credits acknowledge the source material and recognize certain adaptations, yet the plaintiffs maintain that those modifications do not obviate the need for proper rights clearance. They argue that Paramount could not produce the second chapter without reevaluating permissions tied to the original piece and its derivative expressions.
Historically, the second film in the franchise achieved extraordinary commercial success in the United States, significantly contributing to the lead actor’s career achievements. It was reported to have earned well over $290 million in a two-week window, underscoring the momentum of the franchise.
Following a strong premiere, the film generated around $120 million in its opening weekend. Audience interest in the action-driven narrative remained high, as evidenced by continued strong box office performance during subsequent weekends, a level of turnout that drew comparisons to major blockbuster releases from other studios.