Maker of 'Twilight' parody discusses tent poles, movie history and stereotypes in IP suit
The maker of a Twilight parody called Twiharder claims in a lengthy lawsuit that potential distributors were scared off after it received a “sham” cease-and-desist notice.
The 219-page suit claims anti-competitive conduct by Lionsgate Entertainment and goes on to offer critical reaction to Twilight, report the Hollywood Reporter and the Wrap.
The Twilight saga has been “heavily criticized by civil rights activists and academic scholars for perpetuating one-dimensional stereotypes about Native American heritage,” according to the suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan. The film has also been criticized for promoting “an emotionally and physically abusive relationship,” the complaint says.
The suit also notes the film’s “the lustful and eventually sexual relationship between a 17-year-old girl, Bella Swan, and a male character, Edward Cullen, who is nearly 100 years her senior.”
The plaintiff is Between the Lines Productions. Its complaint includes a history of “movie franchises” and discussion of the “tentpole” franchise era, in which a book series becomes a movie series. Included is an illustration of a tent pole used to erect circus tents. “And that’s just in the first crazy 56 pages,” the Hollywood Reporter says.
THR says its “award for legal chutzpah” goes to the lawyer who filed the suit.
