A screenwriter has filed a copyright infringement suit against Netflix over the movie “Rez Ball,” even though the movie had already been shot at the time he shared his script.
Rob Grabow claims that the film shares unmistakable similarities with his script titled ‘The Gift of Game’. Both are stories about Native American high school basketball players competing for a state championship.
Rez Ball premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Netflix in September. It was co-written by Sterlin Harjo (“Bull Dogs”) and produced by LeBron James. It was inspired by “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation,” a 2019 book by Michael Powell, who accompanied the Chinle, Ariz., team during the 2016-17 season.
According to a press release from the New Mexico Film Office, the film was filmed in various locations in the state in May 2023.
Grabow alleges in his lawsuit that approximately nine months later, in early 2024, he shared his text with several people who were friends with Hargo or were professionally associated with him.
“The Gift of Game” was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office on Jan. 25, 2024, and was written in 2023, according to the filing. Grabow states that he drew on his own basketball and acting experiences to tell the story of a mixed-race team with a Native American star.
According to the lawsuit, Grabow had several conversations in 2024 with potential collaborators who ultimately decided not to participate in the project. He also sent the script to several producers and actors, some of whom were connected to Hargo.
The lawsuit cites a series of alleged similarities between “Rez Ball” and “The Gift of Game,” including dramatic endings.
Devin McRae, the attorney representing Grabow, said that even if his script was shared after principal photography on “Rez Ball” wrapped, in May 2023, there could still be a violation.
“We don’t know for sure if principal photography was completed at that time, but if so, the 16 months between then and the film’s release will allow plenty of time to make major changes in post-production by 2019″. For example“Editing, taking shots, reshooting, or voiceover,” McRae said via email.
Netflix declined to comment.
