ABC’s breakout FBI drama Quantico may be under investigation itself. According to Deadline, a team of documentary filmmakers has accused series producer Mark Gordon of lifting the show’s premise from their 1999 film.
The 35-page complaint says that Gordon and his company, Mark Gordon Company, had made plans with filmmakers Jamie Hellman and Barbara Leibovitz Hellman and business exec Paula Paizes in the early 2000s to develop the documentary Quantico: The Making of an FBI Agent. The film trailed a group of FBI trainees just as the series does. However, after some initial discussion of developing the Hellman’s film into a movie or TV series, Gordon never followed up with the filmmakers.
The lawsuit alleges “breach of contract, fiduciary duty and more” and “the filing seeks a jury trial, actual and punitive damages and a ‘based on’ credit for Hellman and Leibovitz and their documentary.”
What do you think? Do you watch Quantico? Do you think there’s a case here?
I love this show. I will hate to see it go away. I don’t watch much TV but I take time for this one.
I like the show and hope it returns. I don’t know anything about the documentary that Gordon allegedly plagiarized. But I’d say the crux of the matter is how far the factual following of Quantico training bled over into the fictional storyline using a dramatized version of FBI training for context. Absent a more detailed understanding of their initial agreement, I’d say this: If he left them out of the production based on the concept they developed together with the intent to make a TV program or movie, I think Gordon’s wrong.
Seriously everyone? From what I read this lawsuit seems entirely justified. There is a big difference between a documentary about Quantico being released 15 years ago and then inspiring a tv show about FBI trainee’s at Quantico. VS. The documentary filmmakers in question were in talks with the man who executive produced THIS show. Something happened that caused it not to get greenlit but it is the SAME executive producer who turned down their documentary. We have about a tweet’s worth of information in this article. Here is what I read “The 35 page lawsuit alleges” 35 pages is a… Read more »
I agree w/everyone else settle the law suit and keep it on the air it’s a really good show..
I hope the lawsuit forces the show of the air to make room for a show worth watching.
I couldn’t count how many times I’ve seen Mark Gordon’s name at the end of an episode for being EP. I don’t know what he looks like, where he lives, to whom he’s married or if he has kids or who his buds are. I know pretty much anything he’s EP on, I watch & will continue to do so.
It seems that this happens so often. Just because a show’s idea has a similar premise to another idea doesn’t mean it’s stolen. Two and a Half Men had the same accusation and look at it’s success. If these folks think it’s their idea then why didn’t they pitch it to the networks? Are they a little jealous? It’s a great show, I’m sure Mark Gordon doesn’t need to steal ideas. If, however, it is found factual, then just share the profits and collaborate together and leave the show on the air!! All we read about is greedy people and… Read more »
Hmmmm, think they are suing cause the show has been successful?? Had this show been canned by now, no way they are suing….
Love the show, don’t care about a lawsuit. Of course nowadays it seems like all people want to do, when things don’t go their way, is sue, sue, sue. This country, actually aa big majority of people, are sad excuses for human being.
DON’T LET IT SCREW UP THE SHOW.
Quantico is a great show I really don’t care about the lawsuit longest Quantico stays on the air it’s a great series settled the lawsuit and lets just move on and keep Quantico on the air for a full season this year and a renewal for next year.
As long it stays on the air I dint care what happens lol