Hi all.
So I've been working on an idea for a novel for some years now, probably approaching three, but to a great extent, it is still an idea.
It has been my "next project" that has been working its way around my head for ages, but as soon as i finish one thing, i find myself with something else more pressing, and this idea remains little more than a well worked concept.
Anyway, about 3 or so months ago, i decided i would finally get round to it, and had just begun fleshing this thing out when a potential spanner got thrown into the works. A large big budget hollywood movie got produced with a strikingly similar backbone.
Although my novel and the movie take largely different directions, the "core" of both is based around a near identical theme.
Basically, the concept is that of an assassin who works for a highly secret and powerful group, who's leader is called "The Voice" and claims to be tasked by God with cleaning up his mistakes. Basically it's based loosely around the bible verse about each man being appointed once to die, and then face judgement, and how "god" might deal with those who attempt to escape that judgement. Of course, everything is not quite as it seems, and therein lies the primary mystery and conflict of the story, but at least at face value, it is VERY similar to the movie "Wanted" which is coming out soon.
In the movie, the protagonist is hired by a group of assassins to kill those who "the fates" determine must die. Basically "the fates" weave the fate of all mankind into a magical loom, and the protagonists in the move are then tasked with killing those who's time it is to die, and presumably, try to escape it.
The annoying thing is, i was somewhat aware of the comic book wanted, and although it would be a stretch to say it "inspired" my story, i did spend quite a bit of time looking into assassin stories (like this, Borne etc) to find my unique point, which i though i had, and the concept of "the fates" is completely new to the movie, and was not at all explored in the comics.
While i would not dream of suggesting that the producers "stole" my idea (how could they, it has basically only existed in my mind, and as notes on my laptop until recently) i would like to know what, if anything i should do next.
I always thought this one could be the one which got published (and the fact that hollywood was so interested in a similar concept suggests that maybe i was right) i don't want to invest a load of time and effort into this if publishers are just going to say "we can't print this, you've just ripped off that movie wanted", or if after it gets published hollywood comes after me trying to sue me... i can't possibly afford to take on hollywood.
Where do i stand? Am I legally okay to continue with this book? If I am legally fine, do you think any publishers will be interested in something so similar (At least at face value) to a new movie? Will i forever have to be defending my creation as my own, and explaining i started formulating the idea before the movie happened? or should i just write it off as a learning experience about procrastinating over "the big one" and move on?
Thanks in advance for your advice
Luke
So I've been working on an idea for a novel for some years now, probably approaching three, but to a great extent, it is still an idea.
It has been my "next project" that has been working its way around my head for ages, but as soon as i finish one thing, i find myself with something else more pressing, and this idea remains little more than a well worked concept.
Anyway, about 3 or so months ago, i decided i would finally get round to it, and had just begun fleshing this thing out when a potential spanner got thrown into the works. A large big budget hollywood movie got produced with a strikingly similar backbone.
Although my novel and the movie take largely different directions, the "core" of both is based around a near identical theme.
Basically, the concept is that of an assassin who works for a highly secret and powerful group, who's leader is called "The Voice" and claims to be tasked by God with cleaning up his mistakes. Basically it's based loosely around the bible verse about each man being appointed once to die, and then face judgement, and how "god" might deal with those who attempt to escape that judgement. Of course, everything is not quite as it seems, and therein lies the primary mystery and conflict of the story, but at least at face value, it is VERY similar to the movie "Wanted" which is coming out soon.
In the movie, the protagonist is hired by a group of assassins to kill those who "the fates" determine must die. Basically "the fates" weave the fate of all mankind into a magical loom, and the protagonists in the move are then tasked with killing those who's time it is to die, and presumably, try to escape it.
The annoying thing is, i was somewhat aware of the comic book wanted, and although it would be a stretch to say it "inspired" my story, i did spend quite a bit of time looking into assassin stories (like this, Borne etc) to find my unique point, which i though i had, and the concept of "the fates" is completely new to the movie, and was not at all explored in the comics.
While i would not dream of suggesting that the producers "stole" my idea (how could they, it has basically only existed in my mind, and as notes on my laptop until recently) i would like to know what, if anything i should do next.
I always thought this one could be the one which got published (and the fact that hollywood was so interested in a similar concept suggests that maybe i was right) i don't want to invest a load of time and effort into this if publishers are just going to say "we can't print this, you've just ripped off that movie wanted", or if after it gets published hollywood comes after me trying to sue me... i can't possibly afford to take on hollywood.
Where do i stand? Am I legally okay to continue with this book? If I am legally fine, do you think any publishers will be interested in something so similar (At least at face value) to a new movie? Will i forever have to be defending my creation as my own, and explaining i started formulating the idea before the movie happened? or should i just write it off as a learning experience about procrastinating over "the big one" and move on?
Thanks in advance for your advice
Luke
