Renowned filmmaker Adam McKay, known for his work on the 2021 Oscar-nominated satire movie 'Don't Look Up,' is now confronted with allegations of copying elements from Louisiana-based writer William Collier's 2012 book in the film's script. In a complaint filed on December 6 in a California federal court, Collier accuses McKay of copyright infringement. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are McKay, his production company Hyperobject Industries, Bluegrass Films, Netflix, and David Sirota, who is credited in the film's story.

Collier contends that 'Don't Look Up' resembles the novel he wrote in 2004, 'Stanley's Comet.' The lawsuit asserts that McKay deliberately used his book without authorization and misappropriated the themes, settings, pace, and plot. Collier also claims that McKay incorporated numerous identical events and characters from Stanley's Comet in the film's script, seeking a minimum of $5 million in damages.

In the lawsuit, Collier cites a report by a comparative literature professor from the University of Southern California, who stated that both works criticize the media, government, and cultural elite, emphasizing their superficiality and dependence on popular opinion polls and social media algorithms.

Collier alleges that McKay had access to his novel through his manager, Jimmy Miller, at the time. In 2007, Collier sent a copy of 'Stanley's Comet' to his daughter, who was a part of the production division of Jimmy Miller Entertainment, which was owned by McKay's management company at the time, Mosaic Media, who then submitted the manuscript for consideration. McKay co-produced films with his then-management Jimmy Miller Entertainment, including 'Talladega Nights' and 'Step Brothers.'

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Collier stated that he later self-published 'Stanley's Comet' in his 2012 book, 'In Extremis: Two Novels,' registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2022. The lawsuit suggested that McKay likely did not independently create his screenplay, given its striking resemblance to Collier's novel.

The lawsuit contends that the plots of 'Stanley's Comet' and 'Don't Look Up' are nearly identical, featuring low-level scientists discovering a large comet heading toward Earth, posing a threat to humanity. The scientists' attempt to raise awareness on a morning talk show being countered by government leaders downplaying the severity of the situation forms a core similarity. Collier states that the movie and his book revolve around the concept of an apocalyptic end of the Earth.

'Don't Look Up' received four Academy Award nominations and won Best Original Screenplay at the 2022 Writers Guild Award following its release in December 2021. These awards prove that McKay is a successful and award-winning screenwriter and director. 'Don't Look Up' cast includes A-list actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Lawrence. With such casting, the film was slated to become a success.

As the legal issue unfolds, statements from McKay and others involved are awaited. Netflix has yet to reply to the statement request about the lawsuit. Steven Lowe, Collier's attorney, has opted not to comment.

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