On September 25, 2019, Screenwriter Joe Gregory Carlini filed a lawsuit in California federal court against Paramount and BET, claiming the Los Angeles-based studio and television network stole the plot from his 2014 screenplay “What The F Is He Thinking?” and used it in the film “What Men Want” starring Taraji Henson.

According to Carlini, Paramount claims the film is a “loose remake” of the 2000 film “What Women Want”. Carlini registered his script with the U.S. Copyright Office in August 2015, several years before the script of “What Men Want” was written. Carlini argues the “characters, events and themes of ‘What Men Want’ are direct copies and/or derivative of the characters, events and themes of “What The F Is He Thinking”. The suit also lists as defendents “What Men Want” writers, producers and production company.

“What Men Want” has grossed $72.2 million worldwide, according to the suit.

Carlini seeks profits from the Paramount movie, damages and attorney fees.

Carlini is represented by Roger N. Behle Jr., Robert A. Curtis and Jordan A. Liebman of Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis LLP.

The case is Carlini v. Paramount Pictures Corp. et al., case number 2:19-cv-08306, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.