In Time looks to be an exciting film built on an intriguing and potentially possible idea, but it also appears that it’s not a wholly original idea; as renowned science fiction author Harlan Ellison has now filed a lawsuit against New Regency, the production company behind the film, citing that it blatantly steals numerous elements from one of his own short stories.
Written in 1965, Harlan’s story; Repent Harlequin! Said The Ticktockman; also features a society in which time has become the only form of currency, a rebel who chooses to go against the system and the Timekeeper (In Time’s Timekeeper’s are futuristic police officers) and has a number of other similarities; including the rather noticeable fact that whenever someone’s clock runs out, they die.
Similar lawsuits are filed all the time (The Hangover 2 was threatened with being pulled from release, and having its home release digitally altered, over a copyright dispute centering on the replication of Mike Tyson’s face tattoo; instigated by the original tattoo artist), though Harlan has already been victorious with previous lawsuits; including one which landed him with an acknowledgement credit on re-releases of The Terminator and an undisclosed payout (much to the dismay of director James Cameron); and he clearly has a case here; especially seen as how his original story was recently optioned to producers, and so is definitely a well known tale that’s been easy to get hold of for sometime.
In time is due to be released on October 28th in the US, and on November 1st in the UK, though Harlan is currently demanding that the release date be halted, and that all copies of the Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) directed movie; which stars Justin Timberlake (Bad Teacher), Amanda Seyfried (Chloe), and Olivia Wilde (Cowboys & Aliens); be destroyed.
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter.
