Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg and HBO Sued for Allegedly Stealing 'Ballers'

Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, in HBO series "Ballers"

HBO

UPDATE 3:40 p.m. PST: HBO said in a statement: “We are confident the case has no merit.”

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HBO and the producing team behind comedy series “Ballers” are being sued for copyright infringement.

According to court documents obtained by TheWrap, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton have filed suit in federal court alleging that the premise for the show was stolen from their project, “Off Season.”

The plaintiffs allege that “Off Season” and “Ballers” share many similarities, including both being about the on-the-field and off-the-field antics of professional football players, and having Miami, Florida, as a setting.

Also Read: HBO Renews 'Ballers' for Season 2

Furthermore, Silas and Littleton claim Wahlberg, Johnson, HBO and “Ballers” producers had direct access to their materials, since in 2009 the duo nearly made a deal with the defendants to produce “Off Season” as a feature film starring Wahlberg and Johnson.

The deal ultimately did not come together when Silas and Littleton refused to agree to have their names taken off the “Created by” credit.

Also Read: HBO Releases 'Ballers,' 'The Brink' Premieres for Free on Facebook

“These substantially similar elements, coupled with the defendents’ direct access to the Materials, leaves little doubt that numerous elements of ‘Ballers’ were copied from ‘Off Season,'” the filing states.

Silas and Littleton are suing for unspecified damages.

Having premiered on June 21, HBO has renewed “Ballers,” for a second season in July.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

SAG Awards 2016: The Nominees (Photos)

Outstanding Performance Male Actor – TV Movie or Miniseries:
Idris Elba for his role in "Luther" received a nomination, and Ben Kinglsey ("Tut"), Ray Liotta ("Texas Rising"), Bill Murray ("A Very Murray Christmas") and Mark Rylance ("Wolf Hall") also received nominations.
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Outstanding Performance Female Actor – TV Movie or Miniseries:
Nicole Kidman was nominated for her role in "Grace of Monaco" and Queen Latifah ("Bessie"), Christina Ricci ("The Lizzie Borden Chronicles"), Susan Sarandon ("The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe") and Kristin Wiig ("The Spoils Before Dying") were nominated as well.
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Outstanding Performance Male Actor – Drama Series (TV):
Peter Dinklage got a nomination for "Game of Thrones," alongside Jon Hamm ("Mad Men"), Bob Odenkirk ("Better Call Saul") and Kevin Spacey ("House of Cards").
HBO
Outstanding Performance Female Actor – Drama Series (TV):
Viola Davis was nominated for "How to Get Away With Murder," alongside Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife"), Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Maggie Smith ("Downtown Abbey") and Robin Wright ("House of Cards").
ABC
Ensemble – Drama Series, TV:
"Downtown Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland," "House of Cards" and "Mad Men" all received nominations.
HBO
Ensemble Comedy Series – TV:
Those nominated are "The Big Bang Theory," "Key & Peele," "Modern Family," "Orange is the New Black," "Transparent" and "Veep."
ABC
Female Actor – Comedy Series, TV:
Uzo Aduba received a nomination for "Orange Is the New Black," alongside Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie"), Ellie Kemper ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"), Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep") and Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation").
TheWrap
Male Actor – Comedy Series, TV:
Jeffrey Tambor was nominated for "Transparent," and Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory"), William H. Macy ("Shameless") and Ty Burrell ("Modern Family") were nominated as well.
TheWrap
Male Actor, Supporting Role – Film:
Mark Rylance received a nomination for his role in "Bridge of Spies." Other nominees include Idris Elba ("Beasts of No Nation"), Christian Bale ("The Big Short"), Michael Shannon ("99 Homes") and Jacob Tremblay ("Room").
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Female Actor, Supporting Role – Film:
Rooney Mara received a nomination for "Carol," and Rachel McAdams ("Spotlight"), Helen Mirren ("Trumbo"), Alicia Vikander ("The Danish Girl") and Kate Winslet ("Steve Jobs") also received nominations.
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Male Actor, Leading Role – Film:
Bryan Cranston was nominated for "Trumbo" alongside Johnny Depp ("Black Mass"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Revenant"), Michael Fassbender ("Steve Jobs") and Eddie Redmayne ("The Danish Girl").
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Female Actor, Leading Role – Film:
Cate Blanchett was nominated for her role in "Carol," alongside Brie Larson ("Room"), Helen Mirren ("Woman in Gold"), Saoirse Ronan ("Brooklyn") and Sarah Silverman ("I Smile Back").
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Cast – Film:
"The Big Short," "Beasts of No Nation," "Spotlight," "Straight Outta Compton" and "Trumbo" all received nominations.
Netflix
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series:
"Game of Thrones," "Homeland," "Daredevil," and "The Walking Dead" were nominated.
Showtime
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
"Jurassic World" was nominated alongside "Furious 7," "Mission: Impossible 7," "Everest" and "Mad Max Fury Road."
Universal