The Holdovers was a home run for numerous viewers. The 2023 movie, directed by Alexander Payne, is filled with heart, humor, and a nostalgic charm that takes the viewers back to the 1970s. The carefully crafted and soul-searching movie received a total of five nominations at the 2024 Oscars. But, right before Alexander Payne’s dramedy could win the Best Original Screenplay award at the 2024 Oscars, it found itself in the middle of a plagiarism scandal.

It was Simon Stephenson who accused Payne and The Holdovers writer David Hemingson of plagiarizing his 2013 screenplay Frisco, going as far as claiming “line-by-line” theft. Stephenson presented his case in emails and documents sent to the Writers Guild of America. Recently, even Variety added weight to this claim by throwing in a report suggesting that Stephenson’s script did get into Alexander Payne’s hands. 

Stephenson claimed that Payne had gotten hold of the Frisco script both in 2013 and 2019, just before he teamed up with David Hemingson to work on the Oscar-nominated film. Variety disclosed excerpts from two emails dated 2013, sent by Hollywood agents to Stephenson, with one from Geoff Morley at United Talent Agency. This further hinted at Payne’s acquaintance with the script. 

This scandal split fans into two groups, with some supporting the claim and others opposing it. 

Skepticism among netizens for The Holdovers ahead of the big night

While many fans are skeptical about the credibility of the Oscar-nominated screenwriter after the scandal, others have pointed out some historical precedents. Fans mentioned that similar situations have occurred in the past, just before the Oscars, such as with Guillermo del Toro and even with Sylvester Stallone in the 70s.

Those who bought into the claim insisted that the Oscars withdraw the nomination for The Holdovers.

Others raised doubts about why this controversy surfaced just before the Oscars and not earlier.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from representatives for the director Alexander Payne, or the writer David Hemingson. Payne and Hemingson declined to comment to Variety, and although Simon Stephenson confirmed the authenticity of the emails, he chose not to elaborate further to the outlet. With the Oscars just around the corner, in fact hitting the screens an hour earlier than usual, it is uncertain whether the Academy will reconsider its decision following the scandal.

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