Producer Marc Beckman finds himself at the center of a music rights fight over the Melania Trump documentary. Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead and director Paul Thomas Anderson asked for their Phantom Thread score to be pulled from the film. Beckman insists his team did everything right. The clash highlights tough issues in licensing songs for politically charged projects. It all unfolded as the film hit theaters and streaming.
Key Takeaways
- Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson claim a breach in using 'Barbara Rose' from Phantom Thread in the Melania documentary.
- Producer Marc Beckman says they have legal rights and paid everyone involved.
- Amazon MGM bought streaming rights for $40 million and spent $35 million on marketing.
- The film earned $13.3 million at U.S. theaters, boosted by Republican women viewers.
Background
The Melania documentary tracks 20 days in the life of former First Lady Melania Trump. It covers her prep for Donald Trump's second inauguration. She meets stylists. She talks with designers. She walks hand-in-hand with her husband at the ceremony. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film aims to show her private side. But critics call it a puff piece. They say it's more like reality TV than real journalism.
Ratner makes a comeback with this project. He left Hollywood in 2017 after sexual misconduct claims. He moved to Israel. He denies any wrong. No charges came his way. Two-thirds of the crew wanted their names off the credits, reports say. Still, the film found an audience.
Amazon MGM jumped in big. They paid $40 million for streaming rights. That's huge for a documentary. Then they dropped $35 million more on ads for theaters. Some think it's a play to get on Trump's good side. The film beat box office expectations. It pulled in $7 million opening weekend. Total domestic take hit $13.3 million after two weekends. Republican women groups turned out strong. They filled seats.
Music plays a key role. Melania herself praised the soundtrack. At a New York Stock Exchange event in January, she said good music and visuals make lasting memories. Films bring families together, she added. They tie into American history. Her words came as backlash grew.
But trouble hit with one track. 'Barbara Rose' from the 2017 film Phantom Thread. Paul Thomas Anderson directed that movie. Jonny Greenwood scored it. Daniel Day-Lewis starred. The film got six Oscar nods, including best score. Greenwood and Anderson have teamed up for years. Think There Will Be Blood. The Master. Licorice Pizza. Their latest, One Battle After Another, leads Oscar buzz with 13 nominations.
Key Details
The fight started when Greenwood and Anderson spotted their music in Melania. A long chunk of 'Barbara Rose' plays in the documentary. They sent a statement. Universal owns the copyright. But they say Universal didn't check with Greenwood first. That's a breach of his composer deal, they claim.
“It has come to our attention that a piece of music from Phantom Thread has been used in the Melania documentary. While Jonny Greenwood does not own the copyright in the score, Universal failed to consult Jonny on this third-party use which is a breach of his composer agreement.” – Statement from Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson
Beckman fired back hard. He told Breitbart News it's all above board. His team followed every step. They hold legal permission for every song. Contracts are signed and paid. Artists got compensated. He called the breach claim a lie. Ridiculous, he said.
Licensing Challenges
Licensing big-name music gets tricky. Stones tracks? Prince songs? Politics makes it worse. Clearances take time. Fees add up. Sides must agree on context. A Trump film? That scares off some artists. Greenwood's no fan of that world, sources say. But Beckman stands firm. No shortcuts taken.
The Melania team cleared the music through Universal. They thought it was fine. Now lawyers hash it out. No public word from the Melania side yet on the request. Amazon MGM stays quiet too. Universal hasn't commented. Tension builds as the film streams wide.
Ratner's past adds heat. Those 2017 allegations linger. He rebuilt in Israel. This doc is his Hollywood return. Crew unease shows in credit removals. Viewers still came. Box office proves it. Critics didn't hold back. One called it a staged vanity project. Shallow. Bad timing. But money flowed anyway.
Key Details on the Deal
Amazon MGM sees value. Beckman thinks they scored big. $40 million buy. $35 million push. Total $75 million bet. Theaters made $13.3 million. Streaming numbers unknown. But it's out there now. Republican turnout helped theaters. Women groups organized viewings. That's real turnout.
Beckman handles music side. He's producer. Knows clearances cold. He says every track's locked. Paid fair. Respected artists. The Greenwood claim blindsided them. Now it's public spat. Could mean re-edits. New cuts for streaming. Theaters might keep old version. Chaos possible.
What This Means
This dispute spotlights music rights in docs. Especially ones tied to politics. Artists guard their work. Directors want impact. Labels hold keys. Breaches lead to pulls. Lawsuits sometimes. Here, it's early. Removal possible. But Beckman won't budge easy. Legal docs back him.
For Melania Trump, more noise. Film already divisive. Music fight adds fuel. Her promo praised soundtrack. Now it's tainted. Viewers split. Fans love access. Haters see propaganda. Box office says fans won first round.
Brett Ratner tests waters. Comeback viable? Crew pushback hurts. But Amazon cash speaks. Hollywood watches. Will more projects follow? Politics mixes with entertainment often. Like Trump’s New Tariffs Fail to Shake Steady Markets. Markets shrug. Here, music won't.
Amazon MGM weighs risk. Big spend. Political bet. If music stays, win. If pulled, edit costs. Streaming edits common. Theaters tougher. Opening crowds gone. Now it's digital life. Greenwood and Anderson push hard. Oscar contenders. Clout matters.
Wider licensing world shifts. Composers demand say. Even without copyright. Agreements evolve. Third-party uses scrutinized. Films like this test lines. Politics amps stakes. Rolling Stones? Prince? Forget it for Trump docs. But Phantom Thread? Gray area blew up.
Crew credits issue lingers. Two-thirds opted out. Why? Reports tie to Ratner past. No details public. Film rolled on. Credits reflect choices. Viewers don't care much. Numbers prove it.
Melania's words hang. Music creates memories. Now dispute mars them. Her story pushes forward. Doc gives platform. Fight over score steals spotlight. But film's out. Message landed for some.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What music is at the center of the Melania documentary dispute?
A: 'Barbara Rose' from the Phantom Thread score by Jonny Greenwood.
Q: Did the Melania film make money at theaters?
A: Yes, it earned $13.3 million domestically after two weekends, beating expectations.
Q: Who directed the Melania documentary?
A: Brett Ratner, known for Rush Hour films.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific track from Phantom Thread is in dispute in the Melania documentary?
‘Barbara Rose’ composed by Jonny Greenwood plays as a long excerpt in the film.
How much did Amazon MGM spend on the Melania documentary?
$40 million for streaming rights plus $35 million for theatrical marketing.
What is producer Marc Beckman’s response to the music removal request?
He says they have legal rights, followed protocol, and compensated all artists.
