TOM CRUISE: *Top Gun* Copyright Suit

Tom Cruise and his partner Paramount Pictures have a Top Gun copyright suit hanging over them and his first billion-dollar blockbuster.

An article, “Top Guns,” written by a fighter pilot inspired the 1980s movie. This personal story was published in 1983 in California magazine. His widow and son filed a copyright suit on Monday seeking unspecified damages. This lawsuit also called for the immediate halt of Top Gun: Maverick screenings at 4000 North American theaters.

A Paramount spokesperson retorted (quote) “These claims are without merit. We will defend ourselves vigorously.”

At issue is the timeline of Top Gun: Maverick. The rights to the 1983 article reverted back to the family in January 2020. Paramount claims that Maverick was completed beforehand, though COVID delayed its release. The family disagrees and will argue in court that Paramount needed to secure a new license for Maverick after January 2020. (Deadline)