Overview

• StudioFest filed suit on May 13 in California’s Central District, alleging ‘Together’ mirrors the plot, themes and dialogue of its 2023 film ‘Better Half’.
• Michael Shanks issued a June 18 statement asserting he completed and registered ‘Together’s’ first draft with the Writer’s Guild of America in 2019, drawing on his personal experiences.
• Distributor Neon and agency WME described the lawsuit as a publicity stunt and noted that no preliminary outreach was made before filing.
• Defendants’ counsel Nicolas Jampol argued that the fused-couple concept is an unprotectable idea that predates both projects and urged the plaintiffs to withdraw their claims.
• The litigation remains active ahead of ‘Together’s’ July 30 theatrical release and is expected to continue for at least a year without a settlement.