Here’s a shocking revelation that’s bound to stir up some controversy: the creators of Phantom Thread are demanding their music be removed from the high-profile Melania documentary, and it’s not just about artistic integrity—it’s about a potential breach of trust. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Phantom Thread director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, who composed the film’s haunting score, have issued a joint statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the unauthorized use of their work in Brett Ratner’s documentary about Melania Trump. According to a statement obtained by Variety from Greenwood’s representative, the pair claims that Universal failed to consult Greenwood about the third-party use of the music, which violates his composer agreement. As a result, they’ve formally requested its removal from the film.
And this is the part most people miss: while Melania has raked in a surprising $13.35 million domestically in just two weekends—a rarity for a non-nature, non-music documentary—its production and marketing costs are through the roof. Amazon MGM reportedly spent $40 million acquiring the film and its accompanying streaming series, followed by a jaw-dropping $35 million on theatrical marketing. That’s nearly $75 million for a documentary, a figure that has industry insiders whispering about the studio’s motives. Could this be a strategic move to curry favor with the current administration? With theater owners taking roughly half of ticket sales, the financial justification for such an extravagant spend seems dubious at best.
But here’s the real question: Is this a case of artistic rights being trampled, or just another example of Hollywood’s tangled web of politics and profit? Greenwood, who has spent the last 25 years establishing himself as a prolific film composer—with credits including There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, and Liquorice Pizza—is no stranger to the industry’s complexities. Yet, even he seems taken aback by this oversight. In his 2017 review of Phantom Thread, Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praised Greenwood’s score as ‘rapturous with longing and anxiety,’ evoking a ’50s Hitchcock vibe. Now, that same music is at the center of a dispute that raises broader questions about creative control and corporate agendas.
What do you think? Is Amazon MGM’s lavish spending a calculated political move, or just a misstep in an industry where documentaries rarely break the bank? And does the unauthorized use of Greenwood’s music cross a line that shouldn’t be ignored? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
