Joseph Kosinski’s announcement of a Miami Vice remake has sparked excitement across the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures finds itself navigating a high-profile lawsuit tied to the screenplay credits of Top Gun: Maverick. Together, these developments highlight important realities about collaboration, creative ownership, and the systems required to manage contributions in large creative projects.
A Closer Look at the Dispute
The lawsuit, brought by David Gray against Paramount Pictures and linked to Top Gun: Maverick, centres on the origins of the film’s screenplay.David Gray claims he collaborated closely with Shaun Gray, credited screenwriter and his cousin, and that significant elements of his own contributions appeared in the final film without recognition. Paramount contests these claims, maintaining that Shaun Gray’s final script was an independent work.
The disagreement has placed a spotlight on how screenplay development unfolds behind the scenes, where multiple versions, feedback rounds, and informal collaboration sessions often take place long before final credits are decided.
This case demonstrates how complex creative processes can leave space for disputes when clear structures for attribution, contribution records, and rights management are missing.
The Nature of Creative Collaboration
Large creative projects thrive through collaboration. Writers brainstorm together, developers share early builds, and musicians exchange melodies and lyrics. Contributions evolve over time, blending original ideas into polished works ready for audiences.Without clear boundaries, though, valuable contributions can become difficult to trace. Projects involving multiple stakeholders benefit greatly from well-structured agreements that define ownership from the outset.
Formal systems for acknowledging creative input help maintain trust and transparency. They allow creators to focus on building great work together rather than revisiting authorship questions once success has arrived.
What the Industry Can Learn
The developments surrounding Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming Miami Vice reboot present valuable lessons for creative industries at large:Clear Agreements Matter
From the earliest stages of collaboration, written agreements that define ownership, rights, and compensation are crucial.Documentation Protects Creativity
Maintaining records of drafts, ideas, and collaborative conversations can prevent misunderstandings later.Creative Ownership Infrastructure Adds Strength
Systems designed to track, formalise, and protect contributions reduce risk and create better outcomes for all participants.Studios, production houses, and independent creators alike stand to benefit from more robust practices that give credit where it is due.
The Role of Systems Like Creative Splits
At Creative Splits, we believe that creativity flourishes best when contribution tracking and ownership sharing are simple, transparent, and reliable. Our platform makes it easier to document creative inputs, agree on ownership shares, and distribute earnings fairly once projects succeed.By building formal structures early, creative teams can avoid the costly disputes that sometimes surface when credits are finalised. Systems like Creative Splits are designed to support collaborative partnerships, ensuring that creative work leads to shared rewards without unnecessary friction.
Whether you are developing a screenplay, recording an album, or launching a digital content venture, clear attribution and contribution management are essential foundations for sustainable success.
A Creative Future Built on Trust
The creative world continues to grow more interconnected. As projects involve more partners across writing, design, development, production, and marketing, the need for structured, fair, and transparent collaboration tools becomes stronger.The lessons emerging from Top Gun: Maverick’s legal challenges and the excitement around the Miami Vice reboot serve as reminders. Creativity deserves protection, recognition, and systems that empower collaboration from the first draft to the final cut.
Creative Splits provides the foundation for building creative ventures that value every contributor. Ready to structure your next collaboration with fairness and clarity? Contact us now and let’s see how Creative Splits can work for you.
