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Writer and Lionsgate Sued for $10 Million Over John Wick Profits

6/3/2026

Summary

Wicker Sues Lionsgate

J.R. Wicker sued Lionsgate and writer Derek Kolstad in a California federal court, seeking at least $10 million in profits from John Wick.
The complaint cites a home invasion that kills the pet, a weapons cache, a nightclub showdown and a Mustang, and says Kolstad accessed the script through Mike Goldberg of Abstract Entertainment and UTA agent Charlie Ferraro.
Lionsgate declined comment.
Experts say proving infringement under copyright law is difficult.

Summary

Wicker Sues

Wicker alleges the “John Wick” title was taken from his script.
He says his “Blood for Escobar” script entered a contest judged by Mike Goldberg, who passed it to Derek Kolstad.
Wicker claims the script’s hero Alex Rosenthal—a grieving assassin with martial-arts skill, whiskey habit and a 1960s Mustang—mirrors John Wick.
The suit also adds Thunder Road Film Productions as a defendant, widening the case beyond Lionsgate and Kolstad.

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Wicker Sues Lionsgate

J.R. Wicker sued Lionsgate and writer Derek Kolstad in a California federal court, seeking at least $10 million in profits from John Wick.
The complaint cites a home invasion that kills the pet, a weapons cache, a nightclub showdown and a Mustang, and says Kolstad accessed the script through Mike Goldberg of Abstract Entertainment and UTA agent Charlie Ferraro.
Lionsgate declined comment.
Experts say proving infringement under copyright law is difficult.

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