"Coming to America" starring Eddie Murphy was a box-office comedy smash, but humorist Art Buchwald isn't laughing about the movie he says was his idea. He's suing - for $5 million.
"I'm not quitting," the columnist vowed in telephone interview from Washington on Monday after his lawyer filed the lawsuit against Paramount Studios in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Murphy's manager says his client, who isn't a defendant in the lawsuit, wrote the script. Paramount refused to comment.
Buchwald, whose lawsuit is the second to dispute the movie's origin, says his story, "King For A Day," was the inspiration for the script.
Asked whether the dispute has soured him on writing for the movies, Buchwald replied, "If I win I won't be soured. If I lose, I'll be very sour."