A screenwriter has filed a copyright infringement suit against Netflix over the film “Rez Ball,” though the film was already shot by the time he shared his screenplay.
Rob Grabow alleges that the film shares unmistakable similarities with his script, entitled “The Gift of Game.” Both are stories about Native American high school basketball players who compete for the state championship.
“Rez Ball” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Netflix in September. It was co-written by Sterlin Harjo (“Reservation Dogs”) and produced by LeBron James. It was inspired by “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation,” a 2019 book by Michael Powell, who shadowed the Chinle, Ariz., team during the 2016-17 season.
According to a press release from the New Mexico Film Office, the film was shot in various locations in the state in May 2023.
Grabow alleges in his lawsuit that roughly nine months later, in early 2024, he shared his script with several people who were friends with Harjo or were connected to him professionally.
“The Gift of Game” was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office on Jan. 25, 2024, and was written in 2023, according to the registration. Grabow states that he drew on his own experiences in basketball and acting to tell the story of a mixed-race team with a Native American star.
According to the suit, Grabow held several conversations in 2024 with potential collaborators who ultimately decided not to get involved with the project. He also sent the script to various producers and actors, some with connections to Harjo.
The lawsuit cites a series of alleged similarities between “Rez Ball” and “The Gift of Game,” including the climactic endings.
Devin McRae, the attorney who represents Grabow, argued that even if his script was shared after principal photography on “Rez Ball” wrapped, in May 2023, there may still be infringement.
“We don’t know for sure that principal photography was complete then, but if it were, the 16-month period between then and the film’s release would permit plenty of time to make significant changes in post-production by, e.g., editing, pick up shots, re-shoots or voiceover,” McRae said by email.
Netflix declined to comment.
