Grabow alleges that he sent Hensel a copy of his script after she expressed interest in collaborating. Both parties signed an NDA that prohibited the disclosure or replication of the script’s content. However, the lawsuit contends that Hensel breached this agreement, sharing the script’s details with third parties, including “Rez Ball” co-creators Sterlin Harjo and Sydney Freeland.
LeBron James and Netflix are sued by filmmaker : Parallel Storylines and Characters
“Rez Ball,” which premiered on Netflix in early September, is credited as co-written by Harjo and Freeland, alongside contributions from James and Michael Powell, who authored the book “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation.” Despite the film’s ties to Powell’s book, Grabow argues that the similarities between his script and the Netflix release are far more pronounced than those with Powell’s source material.
Grabow points to a range of shared elements between the two works, such as:
- Both stories revolve around a Native American high school basketball player leading his team towards a state championship.
- The opening scenes feature voiceovers and community-centric shots of children playing basketball outdoors.
- A subplot involving a mother reluctant to attend her son’s games due to fear of his failure, which Grabow claims was a key element he discussed with Hensel during their meetings.
Grabow also highlights parallel dialogue. For instance, his protagonist tells a mentor figure, “I needed you to support my sense of who I am. Not yours,” while the lead character in “Rez Ball” similarly asserts, “I’m not you,” to an adult figure.
Legal Claims and Potential Damages
Grabow’s lawsuit includes claims of copyright infringement and intentional interference with contractual relations against Netflix, LeBron James, and other named defendants. Specific to Hensel and ten unnamed individuals, the complaint alleges breach of contract for violating the NDA.
