Paramount Pictures is once again facing legal turbulence over Top Gun: Maverick, as a new lawsuit filed by Shaun Gray alleges he co-wrote pivotal scenes for the blockbuster film — without receiving any credit or compensation.

Who Is Shaun Gray and What’s the Lawsuit About?

Shaun Gray, a visual effects artist and cousin of Top Gun: Maverick co-writer Eric Warren Singer, filed the suit claiming joint authorship of the Oscar-nominated screenplay. He asserts that he contributed “key scenes” during a five-month collaboration with Singer and director Joseph Kosinski starting in 2017.

Gray seeks:

• A “screenplay by” credit

• A share of the film’s profits

• Inclusion in all future marketing materials and derivative works

If the court does not grant these demands, Gray says he will pursue a full copyright infringement case against Paramount.

Which Scenes Does Gray Claim to Have Written?

Gray alleges he penned 12 of the film’s most crucial scenes, including:

• The opening sequence, where Maverick flies a prototype at record-breaking speeds.

• A training scene in which Maverick outsmarts Top Gun graduates.

• The mission demonstration, proving the “impossible” is possible.

• The climactic finale, featuring Maverick and Rooster hijacking and crash-landing an enemy F-14.

According to the lawsuit, Gray has maintained time-stamped files and emails documenting these contributions. He also claims both Singer and Kosinski praised his work during development.

Paramount Responds: “Completely Without Merit”

Paramount strongly denies the allegations, calling the case a “baseless attempt” to profit off the film’s success. A spokesperson said:

“This lawsuit, like the one previously brought by Mr. Toberoff in an attempt to benefit off of the success of Top Gun: Maverick, is completely without merit. We are confident that a court will reject this claim as well.”

This isn’t Gray’s first connection to legal drama surrounding Maverick. His attorney, Marc Toberoff, previously represented the family of journalist Ehud Yonay, whose 1983 article inspired the original Top Gun. That case was dismissed in 2024 but is now under appeal.

Toberoff defended Gray’s case, stating:

“Paramount can deny, deflect and scapegoat all they want, but Exhibit 2 to the Complaint documents Shaun Gray’s very significant joint-authorship… with detailed citations to time-stamped files and emails.”

Family Feud or Legitimate Case?

Some insiders have downplayed the lawsuit, characterizing it as a family dispute between Gray and Singer. An IndieWire source described Gray merely as Singer’s “writing assistant,” not a co-writer. However, former Navy pilot and film adviser J.J. “Yank” Cummings publicly acknowledged Gray’s involvement in story meetings during a 2022 GQ interview.

Looking Ahead: Will This Delay Top Gun 3?

As a third Top Gun film is reportedly in early development, this lawsuit could impact Paramount’s plans. With Top Gun: Maverick earning over $1.4 billion globally and receiving six Oscar nominations, legal scrutiny over its creation isn’t likely to fade soon.