Director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead guitarist-turned-composer Jonny Greenwood have formally requested that a segment of Greenwood’s score from Phantom Thread be removed from the controversial documentary Melania.
Breach of Agreement
In a joint statement obtained by Variety, the pair explained that Universal used Greenwood’s music without consulting him, violating his composer agreement.
“It has come to our attention that a piece of music from Phantom Thread has been used in the Melania documentary,” they said. “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. As a result Jonny and Paul Thomas Anderson have asked for it to be removed.”
The Documentary’s Controversy
Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania has been criticized for being lavish yet unrevealing. Despite earning $13.35 million domestically after two weekends, the film cost Amazon MGM an unprecedented $40 million acquisition fee plus $35 million in marketing spend. Industry insiders have speculated that the project may be more about political positioning than box office success.
Greenwood’s Film Legacy
Greenwood has become one of the most respected film composers of the past 25 years, scoring 12 films including There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, Licorice Pizza, and One Battle After Another. His Phantom Thread score was widely praised for its haunting, Hitchcock-inspired atmosphere.
Industry Fallout
The dispute underscores the importance of composer agreements in Hollywood. While studios often control copyright, composers typically retain consultation rights over how their work is reused. Anderson and Greenwood’s intervention highlights how creative ownership and artistic integrity remain central issues, even in blockbuster-level documentaries.
