12 Years a Slave director and screenwriter embroiled in a feud over credits

Los Angeles: Director Steve McQueen and John Ridley have been embroiled in a bitter feud over sharing the screenwriting credit to their Oscar-winning film ‘12 Years A Slave’.

The problem between McQueen and Ridley has been brewing for sometime but the duo decided to keep mum as the negative publicity could have affected their journey to the Oscars where both won for best picture and best adapted screenplay.

The tiff became apparent when both winners failed to thank each other in their Oscar acceptance speech.

McQueen apparently wanted to share screenplay credit with Ridley, a request that was turned down, The Wrap reported.

McQueen appealed to Fox Searchlight but the studio sided with Ridley. Brad Pitt, who produced the film and played a small role tried to mediate but without success.

After winning the best adapted screenplay on Sunday, Ridley strode past McQueen on his way to the podium but paused to hug director David O Russell while McQueen was seen applauding unsmilingly when Ridley’s name was announced.

The bad blood between McQueen and Ridley has persisted for some time. An individual familiar with the frosty situation claimed that the director had insisted that he be seated at separate tables at awards shows late in the season, including the BAFTAs.

McQueen approached Ridley to work on a separate slavery-themed project that eventually led to ‘12 Years a Slave’ after the director’s wife discovered the book, which Ridley subsequently agreed to adapt.

McQueen, who directed and co-produced the period film, had a role in shaping the screenplay but was declined when he asked for a share in the credit.

PTI