News

Writer "Races" to Stop "Death"

Writer Adam Stone filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court yesterday against Universal, trying to stop Death Race, the studio's thriller about violent, spectator sport car races starring Jason Statham and Joan Allen, from being released this Friday. In his suit, Stone claims that the film is based on a script that he wrote and pitched to producer/director Paul W.S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt. Stone is seeking a court order to halt the film's release.

Stone also claims that the producers passed on his screenplay, titled Joust, but kept a copy and used it as a template for what would become Death Race's script. Stone also points out at least 39 instances in the film that mirror his screenplay. He is seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Further complicating the matter is the fact that this film is supposed to be a remake of the 1975 film of the same name. Universal had no comment on the matter at press time.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
08.20.08