Screenwriter Simon Stephenson sues Alexander Payne over The Holdovers

Screenwriter Simon Stephenson has sued director Alexander Payne, alleging The Holdovers was based on his unproduced script Frisco. The suit also names David Hemingson, Mark Johnson, Miramax and Focus Features, according to Variety, which reported it on 28 October 2026. Payne denied the plagiarism allegations at the Sarajevo Film Festival. No court has ruled.