Paul Thomas Anderson Seeks Removal of Jonny Greenwood Score From ‘Melania’
Director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead guitarist-composer Jonny Greenwood have asked that a piece of music from Anderson’s 2017 film “Phantom Thread” be removed from the documentary “Melania.” The request centres on how the cue was licensed and whether Greenwood was consulted for the third-party use.
Variety reported that Anderson and Greenwood said in a statement that Universal failed to consult Greenwood on the documentary’s use of the music, calling it a breach of the composer agreement, and that the pair have asked for the music to be removed.
In the statement obtained by the publication, Anderson and Greenwood said they were alerted to the use of “Phantom Thread” music in “Melania,” adding that Greenwood does not own the copyright in the score. Their objection, they said, was tied to the consultation requirement in Greenwood’s agreement, rather than a claim of direct ownership over the cue.
Greenwood’s film work has remained a major part of his output alongside Radiohead, and Alternative Nation previously reported on band-related developments including Thom Yorke’s response to renewed Radiohead speculation.
The dispute adds another layer of scrutiny to “Melania,” which has drawn attention for its high-profile release strategy and the wider industry conversation about licensing, composer approvals and studio processes when film music is reused outside its original context.
