Issa Rae Hit with Federal Lawsuit — Writers Claim Her $51M Flick One of Them Days Jacked Their Script

Issa Rae is facing some serious legal smoke after three Los Angeles screenwriters accused her of lifting their story for her hit 2025 film One of Them Days.

Writers Joshua Isaacson, Shon Oku, and Tyrone Perry filed a federal lawsuit on July 30, claiming Rae’s production company ColorCreative, Sony Pictures, TriStar, and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton stole core elements from their 2020 screenplay One of Those Days. According to the complaint, the similarities run deep — from character arcs and plot structure to the overall vibe of the film.

The trio says they first shared their script in late 2023 with producer Danny Hamouie, marking the first time it left their circle. Hamouie never responded and isn’t named in the suit. In April 2024, they pitched it to Roman Arabia and Xavier Charles, founders of Green Eggs Go H.A.M., who passed on the project.

Weeks later, Rae’s company announced One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, written by Singleton and directed by Lawrence Lamont. The film — about two friends scrambling to pay rent — hit theaters in January 2025, pulling in over $51 million on a $14 million budget.

One eyebrow-raising detail in the lawsuit: Xavier Charles, who rejected the writers’ script, previously worked on Rae’s HBO series Insecure. The plaintiffs claim this connection, combined with the timing, suggests their work was used without permission.

To back their case, they hired veteran screenwriter John Brancato, who reviewed both projects and concluded the similarities were “substantial” and “not coincidental.”

The writers are seeking damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial, alleging Rae’s team “misappropriated Plaintiffs’ original expression and passed it off as their own.” Rae and Sony reps have yet to respond publicly.

The case is sparking fresh conversations in Hollywood about creative boundaries, unsolicited submissions, and how easily a pitch can walk into one office and walk out in someone else’s name.