The creators of the hit John Wick film series are facing a substantial copyright lawsuit. Writer J.R. Wicker has alleged that the 2014 film and its sequel bear 'strikingly and substantially similar' elements to his own screenplay, Blood for Escobar.
According to the lawsuit, similarities include the antagonist escaping and being killed later at a different location, a public place at night where guards are absent. Wicker claims that Derek Kolstad, the screenwriter of John Wick, may have seen his script through Abstract Entertainment founder Mike Goldberg, who was a judge in a competition Wicker entered.
Wicker is seeking $10 million (£8 million) in profits from the franchise. He also alleges that Kolstad could have obtained the script from UTA agent Charlie Ferraro, who later helped secure the deal for John Wick. Wicker had previously sent copies of Blood for Escobar to the agency upon request.
Meanwhile, John Wick Chapter 5 is officially in development, though no release date or casting has been confirmed. Lionsgate film head Adam Fogelson stated that director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves have an idea they are excited about, but a timeline is not yet set.
