
Issa Rae Sued By Writer, Claiming “One of Them Days” A Rip-Off

Issa Rae is dealing with a federal lawsuit from three Los Angeles screenwriters who declare her 2025 movie One of Them Days copied their earlier work with out permission.
Writers Joshua Isaacson, Shon Oku, and Tyrone Perry filed the go well with on July 30, accusing Rae’s firm ColorCreative, Sony Pictures, TriStar, and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton of copyright infringement and concept theft. According to the criticism, the movie shares important similarities with their 2020 script One of Those Days, together with character arcs, plot construction, and total tone.
Court paperwork reveal that in late 2023, the trio shared their screenplay with producer Danny Hamouie, marking the primary time it was proven exterior their group. Hamouie, nevertheless, didn’t reply and isn’t named within the lawsuit.
In April 2024, the writers submitted the script to producers Roman Arabia and Xavier Charles, founders of Green Eggs Go H.A.M. The firm declined the venture.
Weeks later, Rae’s manufacturing firm introduced One of Them Days, a movie following two friends scrambling to pay hire. Directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Singleton, it starred Keke Palmer and SZA. The film opened in January 2025 and grossed over $51 million on a $14 million funds.
One connection the writers spotlight: Charles, who rejected the unique script, beforehand labored on Rae’s HBO sequence Insecure. The plaintiffs allege this hyperlink and the timing level to unauthorized use of their materials.
To help their claims, the writers retained veteran screenwriter John Brancato, who reviewed each works. Brancato concluded the similarities had been “substantial” and never coincidental.
In the lawsuit, the writers argue Rae’s crew “misappropriated Plaintiffs’ original expression and passed it off as their own without authorization, credit, or compensation.” They are requesting damages, lawyer’s charges, and a jury trial.
Representatives for Rae and Sony haven’t commented publicly on the allegations.
The case provides to broader issues in Hollywood over the safety of mental property and the sharing of tales throughout growth. If the plaintiffs prevail, the result may affect how studios and creators deal with unsolicited materials and collaborative boundaries.
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