"UP IN THE AIR" SCREENWRITER CREDIT DEBACLE

I posted about the film "UP IN THE AIR" at that link.

The film was adapted from Walter Kirn's novel. Screenwriter and director Jason Reitman claimed that he "found" the book and wrote the screenplay over the years.

Enter Sheldon Turner, screenwriter -- who wrote the first draft. How is that? Seems that he was contracted for this long before Reitman was ever involved.

What? Yes, it gets more confusing. Apparently, the project was in the works for years. When it came down to the screenwriting credit, that is, whose name would go in that coveted slot, it was ruled that both Turner and Reitman would share the credit.

Reitman claims he never saw Turner's draft, but amazingly, both scripts have similar key elements which are not in Kirn's novel.

Having won at "Critic's Choice", Reitman spoke, refusing Turner the right to do such. At the "Golden Globes", Turner had figured out he better get to the mike first if he wanted to speak, and he did. Reitman gave him a dismissing eye and spoke as well. It was all very embarrassing.

Need I mention Reitman's look of disgust when "Avatar" won another award at the same event? Yes, there's a pattern, an unprofessional one.

I don't have a personal agenda, just want to make clear -- Reitman dissed Turner. We're dealing with ethics here, when someone shows a lack thereof then they are likely to do it again.

Watch your ass around this guy... and a few others, as "Avatar" and "Nine" have some of the same screenwriting credit issues.

SCREENWRITING CREDIT DEBACLE LINK