Background on Eric Ryder and His Allegations
Eric Ryder, a 3D animator, has filed a lawsuit against Disney and renowned director James Cameron in a federal court in California. Ryder asserts that Cameron copied elements from his science fiction story “KRZ” for the blockbuster film “Avatar: The Way of Water,” set to release on Friday.
Ryder claims he collaborated with Lightstorm Entertainment, owned by Cameron, in the late 1990s to develop a movie based on his story. According to the complaint, Cameron incorporated aspects of Ryder’s narrative into the “Avatar” saga.
Previous Litigation and Current Claims
Ryder had previously filed a similar lawsuit against the first “Avatar” film in 2011, which was dismissed by a California state court after it was determined that Cameron developed “Avatar” before Ryder sent his story to Lightstorm.
“This action is not an attempt to relitigate previous claims,” states the new lawsuit. “It challenges new acts of copying that are occurring for the first time in Avatar 2.”
Ryder’s Demands and Legal Representation
Ryder is seeking at least $500 million in damages and a court order to halt the release of “Avatar 2.” His attorney, Daniel Saunders, stated in a press release:
“The alleged unlawful appropriation and brazen theft of Mr. Ryder’s creative work by the defendants to create the highest-grossing film of all time is egregious and cries out for redress.”
Similarities Between “Avatar” and “KRZ”
According to the lawsuit, both the “Avatar” saga and “KRZ” share common themes, including:
- Antropomorphic beings
- A vast oceanic setting
- An Earth-based corporation conducting harmful mining operations on the moon of a gas giant planet called Europa
Ryder claims that “The Way of Water” revolves around the collection of an animal-derived substance that, when refined, can extend human life. This plot point was present in “KRZ” but not included in the first “Avatar” film.
“Though this animal-derived substance that extends human life is just one example of infringing content in ‘Avatar 2,’ its use as a central plot point is crucial to the defendants’ alleged appropriation,” the legal document asserts.
Response from Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment
Representatives from Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit Tuesday.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Eric Ryder? Eric Ryder is a 3D animator who claims his work was copied by James Cameron for “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
- What is the basis of Ryder’s lawsuit? Ryder asserts that Cameron incorporated elements from his science fiction story “KRZ” into the “Avatar” saga without permission.
- What damages is Ryder seeking? Ryder is demanding at least $500 million in damages and a court order to prevent the release of “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
- How have Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment responded? Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment have not yet commented on the lawsuit.
