A lawsuit accusing Guillermo del Toro of plagiarizing the story to his Best Picture winner “The Shape of Water” from a drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Zindel has been dismissed.
The suit was originally filed in 2018 and accused del Toro, Fox Searchlight and others that “The Shape of Water” infringed on Zindel’s 1969 play “Let Me Hear You Whisper.” But after reviewing confidential information during the litigation, the plaintiff reached an agreement to voluntarily dismiss the case.
“David Zindel, the son of Paul Zindel, author of ‘Let Me Hear You Whisper,’ acknowledges, based on confidential information obtained during the litigation process, that his claims of plagiarism are unfounded. He acknowledges Guillermo del Toro as the true creator of ‘The Shape of Water.’ Any similarity between the two works is coincidental,” a representative for Searchlight Pictures said in a statement.
An attorney for David Zindel could not be reached for comment.
The suit was originally filed in 2018 and accused del Toro, Fox Searchlight and others that “The Shape of Water” infringed on Zindel’s 1969 play “Let Me Hear You Whisper.” But after reviewing confidential information during the litigation, the plaintiff reached an agreement to voluntarily dismiss the case.
“David Zindel, the son of Paul Zindel, author of ‘Let Me Hear You Whisper,’ acknowledges, based on confidential information obtained during the litigation process, that his claims of plagiarism are unfounded. He acknowledges Guillermo del Toro as the true creator of ‘The Shape of Water.’ Any similarity between the two works is coincidental,” a representative for Searchlight Pictures said in a statement.
An attorney for David Zindel could not be reached for comment.
- 4/5/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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