*Nate Parker is being sued by his friend of over 20 years, claiming the actor/director ripped off his screenplay for the 2019 film, “American Skin.”
Writer Avan Hardwell says he wrote a screenplay titled “First and Constitution” in 2016 and obtained a copyright for the property the same year. The story follows a black man whose son is “shot and killed right in front of him by police on the 4th of July weekend after the police wrongfully believe that Orion is reaching for a gun.” After learning the cops won’t face charges, the main character takes matters into his own hands.
Hardwell said in his lawsuit that during a prayer meeting at Parker’s house in 2016, he talked to the actor about the screenplay, and Parker offered to read the work. In December 2016, Hardwell said he sent a copy of the script to Parker, reports RadarOnline. Soon after, Parker responded with the text: “Hey brother. I received your script. Will definitely take a look. Thanks for sending,” according to Hardwell. Days later, Parker allegedly asked Hardwell for a copy to be emailed to him. Hardwell said he sent over the script and Parker told him he read it.
However, Hardwell claimed that Parker took his work and incorporated it into his own screenplay for “American Skin,” which Parker is credited with writing and directing.
The synopsis reads: “Marine veteran working as a school janitor tries to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found innocent without standing trial, he takes matters into his own hands.”
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Hardwell said in his complaint: “[Parker] knowingly, willfully, and deliberately adapted, copied, and misappropriated major portions of the Screenplay to create American Skin.” Hardwell also provided several instances where he claims dialogue was ripped from his script.
Hardwell has demanded damages in excess of $300,000.
The year 2016 also saw Parker having to face allegations from a 1999 Penn State University incident in which a woman accused him of assaulting her while she was intoxicated and unconscious. Parker was acquitted of all charges at the time, but the allegations resurfaced just before the release of his film “The Birth of a Nation,” and caused the film to take a hit at the box office.
“American Skin” went on to premiere on Sept. 1, 2019, at the Venice Film Festival, and was released in the US on January 15, 2021, to negative reviews from critics.
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