A former penciler for DC Comics, Chris Wozniak, has claimed that The Batman stole its story from a script he wrote in the 90s.
Chris Wozniak has recently created an Indiegogo and filled it with claims that his Batman script from the early 90s was plagiarized by Matt Reeves and Michael Uslan on The Batman.
The post was full of misnomers, haphazard claims that were presented as “irrefutable evidence;” and red flags, such as asking Batman fans for money before even producing his scripts for others to see.
What’s sad is that he’s not wrong about comic writers/artists being underpaid, something that is likely a factor in driving him to do something like this (if the campaign truly is a scam).
If Wozniak is able to produce his original scripts and they match up with what he’s saying then he will have a case, but the fact of the matter is that right now all he has for evidence are various logic hoops you need to jump through, nothing concrete.
Here’s what Chris had to say on his campaign’s front-page:
“THIS IS A PLOT I EMAILED DIRECTLY TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHAEL USLAN IN 2008
“I have a great story we never got around to doing at DC Comics, but it would make a FANTASTIC BATMAN FILM.”
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In 2008 at the New York Comic Con (Jacob Javits Center), Michael Uslan approached my booth because he liked the title of my comic book (Barren Soil, there was a large banner). “I’m a Film Producer. I like the title of your book. Do you mind if I have a copy? I’m always looking for good stories.”
I said, “sure” and handed him one, and he gave me his business card.
AND THAT WAS IT. At the time I didn’t recognize his name.
Shortly after the convention, I Googled him and saw he was the Executive Producer of all the Batman films…and I had a GREAT BATMAN STORY (one of the best ever, I thought) sitting around going to waste.
It was the biggest “No-Brainer” of all time.
I emailed my plot directly to Michael Uslan via the email address on his card.
I never heard back, but I want to clarify that my plot was not sent “unsolicited”. When a Film Producer gives me his card and says he’s “always looking for good stories,” I figure that’s an invitation to send him a good story.
The only problem is he used it.
Now, before Executive Producer Michael Uslan and Warner Bros. Pictures used my plot in the film, they were supposed to negotiate a contract first to make sure I was fairly compensated.”
Some people have taken to Twitter to address their concerns with the whole project, pointing towards Wozniak asking for money as a red flag.
https://twitter.com/ZorieZorieZorie/status/1559282697255604224
The text below is pulled directly from Wozniak’s Indiegogo site.
“WHERE YOUR DONATIONS ARE GOING
If the Filmmakers in this case decide to hide behind their lawyers and give the ludicrous excuse that they never saw my plot, I may not be able to do anything about it.
Historically, major Film Studios in this situation will have some billion dollar Law Firm kick the case down the road for twenty years in the hopes the little guy (me this time) gets hit by a bus.
In other words, no matter how much money I raise, I could end up with nothing if I go chasing “everything I deserve” in court against people who have unlimited resources, so your donations will be going toward taking care of my family just as if I had been properly paid in the first place.
The reality may be what BATMAN FANS give here on Indiegogo and on Patreon may be the only compensation I will ever see. If I really can’t afford to litigate, or if appropriate Legal Representation doesn’t come forward to offer their services, then I will have to live with whatever BATMAN FANS think I deserve for the Riddler story that was used in the 2022 film.”
