The screenwriter of the iconic 1980 horror film “Friday the 13th” is seeking to reclaim the rights to the movie. On Wednesday, the film’s producers fired back with a lawsuit in a Connecticut federal court, calling writer Victor Miller’s actions “a transparently disingenuous money grab.”

Earlier this year — 36 years after the movie hit theaters — screenwriter Miller sent out termination notices, seeking to claim the rights to the movie he wrote as a work-for-hire.

This week, current rights holder Horror Inc., along with the Manny Company — which hired and signed an employment agreement with Miller — filed their suit, claiming that Miller’s actions placed a “cloud” over Horror’s title to the movie and have caused and will continue to cause “significant damages.”

Also Read: 13 Cursed Movies for Friday the 13th (Photos)

According to the complaint, Miller had been a previous collaborator of Manny founder Sean Cunningham, who recruited Miller to write a screenplay following the box office success of “Halloween.” In 1979, Miller agreed to write the script under an employment agreement, from which he has received residual payments over the last 36 years.

As part of that deal, he relinquished any rights to the film to Manny, which subsequently assigned its rights to Horror’s predecessor, Georgetown Productions, in exchange for Georgetown fully financing the film, which went on to be a huge hit.

“Since the initial release of the Film in 1980, Horror has invested substantial time, money and effort developing and growing this singular independent horror film into one of the most successful and iconic film franchises of all time,” the complaint reads. “Miller’s attempt to re-characterize his initial work for hire efforts as an independent project 36 years after the fact is nothing more than a transparently disingenuous money grab.”

Also Read: 'Friday the 13th' Reboot Loses Director David Bruckner (Exclusive)

The complaint also plays up Cunningham’s and Georgetown principal Phil Scuderi’s roles in shaping and editing the script.

“Beginning in mid-August 1979 and throughout the pre-production and production process, Scuderi, on behalf of Georgetown, provided extensive notes, mark-ups and ideas which were incorporated into the final shooting script and Film itself — many of which never appeared in any drafts of the Screenplay written by Miller,” the complaint reads.

Miller is seeking to reclaim the rights, effective June 2018, under title 17, section 203 of the United States Code, which allows termination of copyright grants made after 1978 effected in a five-year window beginning 35 years after the grant was made. However, the first sentence of that section states that the conditions for termination apply “in the case of any work other than a work made for hire” — which is what the plaintiffs claim Miller’s was.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

13 Cursed Movies for Friday the 13th, From 'Poltergeist' to 'The Crow' (Photos)

Happy Friday the 13th. Making movies proves that Murphy's Law is a real and horrifying thing. These 13 films were struck by chaos, misfortune -- and in some cases even death, during their production. Some became massive blunders while others became cult favorites famous for their notorious development.
"Waterworld"

"Waterworld" was under stormy weather from the beginning. A hurricane destroyed one of the film's multi-million-dollar sets and nearly killed Kevin Costner, according to Yahoo. In an interview with A.V. Club, Joss Whedon called rewriting the script "seven weeks of hell." Still, this film's curse is tame compared to those of the rest on this list.
Universal
"Apocalypse Now"

The horror! Francis Ford Coppola was tempting fate when he decided to film "Apocalypse Now" during monsoon season. Big mistake. The monsoon destroyed multiple sets, Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack during filming, and Coppola was so stressed that he suffered a seizure, according to The Independent. "Apocalypse Now" turned out to be a masterpiece anyway, but the documentary "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" about its making is just as engrossing.
Lionsgate
"The Exorcist"

"The Exorcist" is one of the most infamously cursed movies of all time. Nine people died during the shoot, and it is said that a fire destroyed large portions of the set, according to Entertainment Weekly. The story of the film's production became the subject of an "E! True Hollywood Story" episode.
Warner Bros.
"Fitzcarraldo"

Dysentery. Injuries. Fights among the crew. Nothing seemed to go right during the filming of "Fitzcarraldo." The story concerns hauling a boat over a hill, which the crew literally accomplished, but not without the same nightmarish difficulty as is depicted in the film. And in the end, director Werner Herzog looked as mad and overly driven as its hero. Check out the documentary "Burden of Dreams" for more.
Anchor Bay Films
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

Bad luck ran amok in Middle Earth during the filming of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." DVD interviews revealed that multiple actors and stuntmen suffered injuries while shooting the film's elaborate fight sequences. The worst was Viggo Mortensen, who broke his toe and chipped his tooth while filming.
New Line Cinema
"The Conqueror"

"The Conqueror" is a whitewashed 1956 film with John Wayne as Genghis Khan. The film was shot at a location downwind from a nuclear testing site, causing dozens of crew members to eventually die of cancer.
RKO
"The Omen"

No one was seriously hurt during filming of "The Omen," but chaos seemed to surround everyone involved. Star Gregory Peck and screenwriter David Seltzer had their flights struck by lightning on way to filming. Director Richard Donner's hotel was bombed by the IRA. And members of the crew were caught in a car crash.
Fox
"Twilight Zone: The Movie"

Vic Morrow and two child actors were killed during filming of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" when a helicopter crashed during a Vietnam flashback scene, leading to major changes in the way movies were made.
Warner Bros.
"Rosemary's Baby"

During the filming of "Rosemary's Baby," lead actress Mia Farrow received her divorce papers from Frank Sinatra. A few months after, director Roman Polanski lost his wife Sharon Tate when she was murdered by followers of Charles Manson.
Paramount
"Poltergeist"

Over the course of the original Poltergeist trilogy, several cast members died tragically. In 1982, 22-year-old Dominique Dunne was murdered by her boyfriend shortly after the release of the first film. Six years later, 12-year-old Heather O'Rourke died of septic shock before the third movie was released.
MGM
The Superman Curse

Comic book movie fans may know about the "Superman Curse," which is said to afflict multiple actors involved in Superman films. Christopher Reeve was paralyzed following a horse accident. And Margot Kidder, who played Lois opposite Reeve, suffered from bipolar disorder, according to TCM.
Warner Bros.
"The Crow"

Brandon Lee, the star of "The Crow," was killed during filming when a prop gun wasn't loaded properly, according to the Los Angeles Times. When the gun fired, a piece of shell casing struck his chest and killed him instantly.
Miramax
"Atuk"

"Atuk" is a movie so cursed that it never got made. It was supposed to be a movie about an Eskimo in New York and had four different men attached to play the lead while in development hell: John Belushi, Sam Kinison, John Candy and Chris Farley. All four died shortly after entering negotiations to be in the film.
Getty

1 of 14

Chaos, misfortune and tragedy struck these films

Happy Friday the 13th. Making movies proves that Murphy's Law is a real and horrifying thing. These 13 films were struck by chaos, misfortune -- and in some cases even death, during their production. Some became massive blunders while others became cult favorites famous for their notorious development.

View In Gallery