Paramount Sued Over ‘Top Gun,’ OG Author’s Family Says Story Rights Lapsed

Tom Cruise would never have flown high in ‘Top Gun’ or its sequel if it hadn’t been for a story that the films are based on, whose rights have expired… this by a new lawsuit.

Diehard fans might already know this, but the original 1986 “Top Gun” is based on an article written by a guy named Ehud Yonay …who wrote a very detailed article in 1983 on Navy fighter pilots. Yonay says Paramount got the rights back at the time by brokering a deal with him…and it’s well known that the movie is based on his story.

That copyright claim that Paramount got at the time had a 35-year exclusive ownership period… Yonay’s widow and son say they sent Paramount a notice terminating the studio’s rights to the story in January 2020.

The family alleges Part 2 – which they claim contains elements of their late father/husband’s original story – was not technically completed until May 2021, and they claim it is clearly derived from Yonay’s story.

Timing here is key – multiple reports suggest filming for “Maverick” wrapped in 2019 … but it will be interesting to see if Paramount claims post-production was completed before January 2020, which the Yonays say , was the deadline. if Paramount wanted to create another “TG” based on the old license.

Anyway, due to the sequel’s box office success – over hundreds of millions, worldwide – the family is now seeking an injunction to stop Paramount from damaging the story and, of course, damages. We contacted Paramount, with no response.