Gravity author sues Gravity filmmakers

By Tribute on May 1, 2014 | 3 Comments


Bestselling author Tess Gerritsen claims Alfonso Cuarón‘s film Gravity is partially based on her novel of the same title, and she should receive a screen credit, as well as a percentage of the profits. The writer, whose books The Surgeon and The Apprentice formed the basis for TNT’s popular dramatic series Rizzoli & Isles, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, April 30 in Los Angeles, claiming Warner Bros. owes her 2.5 per cent of the film’s profits. Like the space blockbuster, Tess’s 1999 novel Gravity features a female doctor/astronaut left alone on a space station after the rest of the crew is killed in a series of disasters.

Last year when Gravity was released, Tess told the Greencastle Banner Graphic, a local Indiana newspaper, that it is “a great film, but it’s not based on my book, despite the similarities.” Now, Tess’ lawyer Glen L. Kulik told the New York Times that the author in recent months was given information that made her believe Cuarón based his screenplay on her book. The suit seeks damages of at least $10 million. A Warner Bros. spokesperson said the studio has no comment. Well, Gravity hurts. ~Alexandra Sharova



Comments & Discussion

  1. Rhonda • May 1, 2014 @ 10:27 AM

    Sounds like an open and shut case. I’m amazed, since they even ripped off the name of her book, that she didn’t realize sooner it was her story.

  2. Janez • May 1, 2014 @ 12:44 PM

    WB ……that’s what they do. Rape and Pillage. Shut them down.

  3. Matt • May 2, 2014 @ 5:18 PM

    Check out Gerritsen’s book on Amazon. The plot is a ripoff of Alien, and has nothing to do with the Gravity film. The studio behind Alien should be suing her!

    http://www.amazon.ca/Gravity-Medical-Suspense-Tess-Gerritsen-ebook/dp/B003WEA9P2/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399065357&sr=1-11&keywords=gravity


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