Actor Nate Parker’s Alleged Friend of 20 Years Says He Stole Portions Of His Screenplay To Create “American Skin” Film

Nate Parker

Actor Nate Parker’s Alleged Friend of 20 Years Says He Stole Portions Of His Screenplay To Create “American Skin” Film

Actor Nate Parker has been hit with a federal lawsuit accusing him of stealing a close friend’s screenplay.

According to court RadarOnline.com, a writer named Avan Hardwell has sued Nate Parker and various production companies over the 2019 film, American Skin in which Parker wrote and directed.

The film synopsis reads,

“Marine veteran working as a school janitor tries to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found innocent without standing trial, he takes matters into his own hands.”

Nate Parker

In the suit, Hardwell said he wrote a screenplay titled First and Constitution in 2016 and obtained a copyright that same year. Hardwell said his story focused on a black man whose son is

“shot and killed right in front of him by police on the 4th of July weekend after the police wrongfully believe that Orion is reaching for a gun.”

The main character ends up taking matters into his own hands after learning the police officers won’t face charges.

In the lawsuit, Hardwell said he’s known Nate Parker for 20 years and that the two were close. In 2016, the pair had a meeting in which Hardwell talked to Parker about the script. He said the Birth of a Nation director offered to read the work. In December 2016, Hardwell said he sent a copy of the script to Parker.

Days later, Nate Parker allegedly asked Hardwell for a copy to be emailed to him. Hardwell said he sent over the script and Parker told him he read it.