Thu Jul 24 00:50:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewrite of the provided text as a news article:
**Summary:**
Michael Shanks’s debut horror film, “Together,” starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple whose bodies merge due to supernatural forces, is facing controversy. Producers of the indie film “Better Half” have filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, claiming “Together” stole the concept of a couple physically fused together as a metaphor for codependency, sharing specific plot points and themes. Shanks and his team deny the accusations, citing the personal inspiration behind “Together” and the earlier development timeline of his script. The article explores the complexities of plagiarism claims in Hollywood, noting the high legal bar for proving infringement and the frequent occurrence of similar concepts appearing independently.
**News Article:**
**Horror Film ‘Together’ Faces Plagiarism Accusations Ahead of Release**
**Los Angeles, CA** – Michael Shanks’s highly anticipated horror debut, “Together,” starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, is generating buzz for more than just its terrifying premise. Just weeks before its July 30th theatrical release, the film is embroiled in a legal battle, with producers of the 2022 indie film “Better Half” alleging copyright infringement.
The lawsuit, filed in May by Jess Jacklin and Charles Beale of StudioFest, claims that “Together” stole the core concept of “Better Half,” in which a couple wakes up physically fused together. They argue both films depict a couple navigating daily life while physically conjoined and controlling each other’s body parts, including a chainsaw scene, Spice Girls references, similar character professions and bathroom scenes. They also claim WME, the talent agency representing Franco and Brie, had previously received the “Better Half” script but passed on the project.
“Together,” which sold to Neon for a reported $17 million after a Sundance bidding war, follows a married couple whose vacation takes a horrifying turn when a supernatural force causes their bodies to merge.
Shanks and his representatives vehemently deny the allegations. In a statement, Shanks called the accusations “devastating” and insisted that “Together” is based on his own deeply personal experiences. He claims to have completed the first draft of “Together” in 2019, before the “Better Half” script was allegedly sent to WME. Neon and WME have jointly accused the “Better Half” producers of seeking “15 minutes of fame” and a “payday” by filing the suit.
The dispute highlights the challenges of proving plagiarism in Hollywood, where similar ideas often surface independently. Legal experts note that copyright protection applies to the specific expression of an idea, not the idea itself. This means that even if similarities exist, infringement can be difficult to prove.
The “Better Half” producers appear not to have been able to secure a distribution deal for their film, as it is not available online.
The case is reminiscent of past plagiarism accusations in the film industry, including recent claims against Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers.” As “Together” heads toward its theatrical release, the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, but the controversy has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the film’s debut.
First Piper 