The publishing company behind many Choose Your Own Adventures books from the '80s and '90s is suing Netflix.
Netflix released Bandersnatch late last year. The newest installment in the Black Mirror franchise, the film centers around a video game designer as he loses touch with reality. Since it's designed as an interactive film, viewers are able to make decisions for the story, which changes the narrative. Now, Netflix is being sued for using brand awareness to promote that interactive element of the movie.
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Variety reports that book publisher Chooseco has brought a lawsuit against the streaming service. The suit alleges that Netflix purposefully used brand awareness of their line of books -- which have sold 265 million copies, according to the suit -- to promote Bandersnatch. The suit claims Netflix approached the company to work on an interactive film, but talks broke down and Chooseco had the rights to their books optioned by 20th Century Fox instead. The lawsuit is seeking at least $25 million in damages.
The suit also notes that, in an early scene in the film, the main character specifically reads a Choose Your Adventure book and plans to pitch it as a new game to his company.
Directed by David Slade, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch stars Fionn Whitehead, Will Poulter and Asim Chaudhry. It is available to stream now on Netflix.