Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead guitarist-composer Jonny Greenwood have taken action after discovering that music from their 2017 film Phantom Thread was included in a documentary centered on former first lady Melania Trump. Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood seek to remove the Phantom Thread score from the film Melania, citing concerns over how the music was used.
In a joint statement released Monday, the duo said they were not consulted before the score appeared in the project. According to them, while Greenwood does not personally control the copyright to the composition, the use of the music without his involvement violates the terms of his composer agreement with the studio. As a result, they have formally requested that the piece be taken out of the documentary.
Background on the Score and the Films
Greenwood created the richly layered orchestral score for Phantom Thread, a period drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis as a meticulous and demanding dressmaker in 1950s London. The film was distributed by Focus Features, a division of NBCUniversal.
The documentary in question, titled Melania, was later acquired for distribution by Amazon MGM Studios in a deal reportedly worth $40 million. The company has not issued a public response to the request regarding the music.
About the ‘Melania’ Documentary
Directed by Brett Ratner, the film follows Melania Trump during the final 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025. The project features original compositions by Tony Neiman and marks Ratner’s return to directing after several years away from the industry following misconduct allegations in 2017, which he denied and for which he was never charged.
So far, Melania has earned more than $13 million at the North American box office. However, critical reception has been largely unfavorable, with the film receiving a very low approval rating from professional reviewers.
Anderson and Greenwood’s Ongoing Collaboration
Meanwhile, Anderson’s newest film, One Battle After Another, has generated significant awards momentum, securing 13 nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. The film tells the story of aging revolutionaries attempting to evade a relentless military adversary.
Greenwood once again composed the score for the project, continuing a long-standing creative partnership with Anderson that includes There Will Be Blood, The Master, and Inherent Vice. The composer has received three Academy Award nominations for his work in film scoring.
As the situation unfolds, the request highlights ongoing concerns within the industry about creative rights, consultation, and the use of original music in third-party productions.