Overview

• Payne labeled the plagiarism claims as 'stupid' and criticized Variety for irresponsible reporting.
• The accusations were made by 'Luca' co-screenwriter Simon Stephenson, who claimed the script was copied from his 2013 screenplay 'Frisco'.
• Payne asserts that 'The Holdovers' was inspired by Marcel Pagnol's 1935 film 'Merlusse', not Stephenson's work.
• Despite the controversy, 'The Holdovers' received five Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay.
• Payne is collaborating with 'The Holdovers' screenwriter David Hemingson on a new Western film.