Ideas are a dime a dozen. She might have talked to them but if she didn't send a script that can be presented as similar she's gonna lose the case. That means she has a copyrighted version and or a version registered with the Writers Guild dated prior to when the Matrix went into production.

I don't know much about the case but it is fairly unlikely that they would steal a script and not simply pay her for work done and legally used the script. Nobody wants their film stuck in legal tangles later. It's also funny that she's waited this long as I would have sued before the Matrix came out and tried to halt distribution if I had a case.

Lastly the Matrix 2 & 3 sucked for the same reason Highlander 2 & 3sucked. The first was a movie that left no lose ends and wrapped up nicely but made so much money sequels were inevitable so they were thrown together quickly.

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Originally posted by Imagine11

If this post is too off topic for this forum, then go ahead and delete. I posted it here because I find the posts here intelligent and insightful, and haven't always found that to be the case at some other internet forums I've visited that deal with film.

I wonder if some of the members here could render an opinion on this issue: screenwriter Sophia Stewart claims she wrote a screenplay that later became The Matrix. She is suing Warner Brothers, the film's producer Joel Silver, and the Wachowski brothers.

An article: ?url? http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1745.shtml?/url? And interview: ?url? http://www.playahata.com/pages/interviews/interview_sophiastewartpt1.htm?/url?

This appears to be more than an easily dismissable, fringe claim. Ms. Stewart states that she has documented evidence (registered letters) that she contacted the Wachowski brothers in the '80s, and that there has already been testimony by Warner Brothers employees that it was common knowledge while making the film that the Wachowski brothers did not write the original material.

If true, I still think the filmmakers created an extraordinary, highly original, entertaining work on many levels.

If true, however, it would explain why the second two Matrix films, in my view, kind of sucked.

I am fascinated by this issue, and would like to hear from some of the group's members on it.

www.tristanluke.com

www.tristanluke.com/wordpress/

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RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

After reading the link I think she's really reaching with her claims. She's claiming to have writen the basis of Terminator as well and I highly doubt that. She's laying claim to the creation of an entire genre of science fiction that already had a rich history long before her 1981 copyright.

I think Star Trek's Landru episode predates her by at least a decade and the idea was old then.

If she's gotten this far it shows a lot of juries are filled with fools and naives.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Larry and Andy Wachowski are known for not giving interviews. I don't know that they've given any, outside the well controlled commentary they give in my Matrix DVD.

I wonder why that is. I am in no way implying this indicates they are hiding something. There could be many reasons why two artists don't want to give interviews. Still, I am curious why.

Don't you think giving interviews would be fun? An opportunity to rap a little about your process and your experience after making such an extraordinary film?

www.tristanluke.com

www.tristanluke.com/wordpress/

Filmmakers are artists. Many artists are not camera-friendly so they stay on the crew side of things. Others are happy to jump in front of the camera at a moments notice. People are people and everyone is different. I made a low-budget movie. I was willing to jump in front of hte camera if needed (an extra didn't make it) but I'm glad I didn't have to.

furthermore I've heard of a lot of people who felt their comments were misrepresented or taken out of context. I imagine that could make the interview process horrible.

Additionally, do you know how the interviews on movies generally work. Interviewee sits in a room and reporters come in one at a time and generally ask the same questions. What might be fun over a pint of beer would become nightmarish after answering the same questions a dozen times, knowing they may comment on your clothes, your attitude, everything looking for the angle that will make their interview stand out.

Serious or not this lady has taken this to court and apparantly a few courts have taken it serious enough to keep her hopes alive. When Lawyers are involved people are generally told not to talk about the case at all, even if the case has no merit. It's possible that they got a few questions on this and found it frustrating because to many refusing to answer is an admission of guilt even if it's wise legal council.

And lastly, if few know what they look like they can go out on the town without being hassled. They are in the position where their faces don't sell tickets so there is no real upside except ego in doing interviews. The actors will suffer through the interviews because it helps their career and sells the movies. The Wachowski brothers, if they do indeed avoid interviews, have no need to do so.

Having said that the Matrix 2 and 3 sucked and I think they owe the world an apology. If they don't want to be public they can do it in writing.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA