A24 Faces Community Backlash Over SCP Foundation Film Plans
A24’s upcoming SCP Foundation project has sparked controversy due to its lack of community engagement.
A24 is venturing into the realm of internet horror once again, this time with a project linked to the popular SCP Foundation universe. Following the success of their Backrooms film, the anticipation surrounding V/H/S: SCP has quickly shifted to skepticism and backlash from fans.
What is the SCP Foundation?
The SCP Foundation is a collaborative horror story originating from 4chan, akin to creepypasta tales. It comprises fictional documents detailing the containment of supernatural entities and anomalies, effectively weaving a narrative that blends science fiction with bureaucratic horror. The expansive lore of SCP is primarily shared through community-driven wiki entries, setting the stage for potential monster-of-the-week anthology films.
Lack of Communication with the Community
Unlike their previous collaboration on Backrooms, where A24 engaged directly with its creator, the studio has seemingly ignored the SCP community in the lead-up to this project. The official SCP Foundation Wiki released a statement expressing disappointment over the lack of communication, noting, "We have not had any communication with the filmmakers, producers, or distributors for this project, despite our best efforts."
DrEverettMann, an administrator on the SCP Wiki, confirmed that multiple outreach attempts to A24 went unanswered. This communication breakdown has heightened concerns within the fandom, as engagement is vital to respecting the community's collaborative efforts.
Legal Complexities of the SCP License
The SCP Foundation operates under a Creative Commons license known as CC BY-SA 3.0. This licensing framework allows anyone to adapt or distribute SCP-related content, provided they also share derivative works under the same terms. Consequently, A24's film may face significant challenges if it aims for exclusive rights to the SCP brand.
Monique Levine, a spokesperson for Image Nation Studios and Spooky Pictures, clarified that A24's rights are specific to the particular film in production. However, the implications of the CC license mean that no one—including A24—can lay claim to exclusive rights to any SCP narrative.
The Road Ahead for A24
Legal experts, including law professor Paul Szynol, assert that while anyone can produce an SCP film, including major studios, no adaptation will be shielded from others creating their versions. This scenario presents an unusual business model for A24, as they would be unable to prevent others from distributing their film freely—a potential financial disaster.
Days after the film's announcement, discussions have emerged about possible future steps for A24. One option is to proceed with the film under the existing SCP branding, facing the community's ire and possible legal repercussions if they fall out of compliance with the CC license.
A more viable route might be to pivot away from the SCP branding altogether, drawing inspiration instead from the lore without direct association. This would allow for more control and traditional distribution avenues.
Alternatively, A24 could choose to release the SCP film under the ShareAlike license. Although bold, this would also entail forfeiting exclusive rights, entrusting the project's financial viability to audience reception despite the unorthodox distribution model.
A Cautious Path Forward
As A24 navigates this complex situation, one thing remains clear: the engagement and respect for the communal spirit behind SCP could make or break their project. If they fail to reconcile with the community rather than viewing it as a mere avenue for a horror movie, the road ahead may prove to be fraught with challenges.