Netflix’s French shark movie Under Paris could be removed from the service almost immediately after its June 5, 2024, release. A legal case is claiming it steals from another writer’s original idea.
Writer and director Vincent Dietschy says the feature resembles a project he began working on in 2011, Silure. It takes inspiration from Steven Spielberg’s classic killer shark hit Jaws, and revolves around a giant, carnivorous catfish that wreaks terror on the Seine.
Under Paris movie getting bitten by a takedown?
Dietschy has put forward the theory that Under Paris producers Sébastien Auscher and Edouard Duprey gained information about his idea after he pitched it to French agent Laurent Grégoire at his offices in 2014. Subsequently, a development dossier featuring a lengthy treatment started to circulate among other producers in 2015.
An initial hearing on June 14, 2024, is set to pass judgment on a legal request by the complainant’s lawyer for the film’s release to be suspended while a second lawsuit around accusations of parasitism makes its way through the courts.
In this context, parasitism is a term that describes when one party follows in the footsteps of another party’s efforts and know-how to benefit from their enterprise without seeking permission or making payment.
Moreover, the producers of Under Paris have reportedly refuted Dietschy’s claims.
What is Under Paris about?
Under Paris is set in the near future, in the summer of 2024. Paris is hosting the World Triathlon Championships on the Seine for the first time. Sophia, a brilliant scientist, learns from a young environmental activist, that a large shark is swimming deep in the river. To avoid a bloodbath at the heart of the city, they have no choice but to join forces with Adil, the Seine River police commander.
Under Paris is directed by Xavier Gens. Gens previously made 2007’s Hitman, 2011’s The Divide, 2017’s Cold Skin, 2018’s Budapest, and 2023’s Mayhem! He also directed episodes of 2014’s Crossing Lines, 2020’s Gangs of London, 2021’s Mortel, and 2023’s Lupin.
Gens co-wrote the script for Under Paris with Yaël Langmann, Yannick Dahan, and Maud Heywang. Sebastien Auscher produces the film.
Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, Iñaki Lartigue and José Antonio Pedrosa Moreno star in the film.
Under Paris releases on Netflix on June 5, 2024.
