Chuck & Larry a ripoff?

There are rumors starting to circulate around the web that I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY is a ripoff of an Australian film titled STRANGE BEDFELLOWS. The rumor spread after an article by Garry Maddox in the Sydney Morning Herald saying BEDFELLOWS director Dean Murphy was “investigating” whether Adam Sandler and Universal ripped off his film to make CHUCK AND LARRY. Star Michael Caton even said it was “obvious” that Sandler saw their movie and copied their idea. Universal Pictures Australia refused to comment until they got word from their corporate offices in Hollywood. Well allow me to comment for them – it ain’t a ripoff. CHUCK AND LARRY has been around for years and years and if anything, Universal should investigate whether BEDFELLOWS ripped off its script. Take a look at this article from the May 16th, 2000 edition of Variety back when Will Smith was attached to star and Tom Shadyac (EVAN ALMIGHTY) was directing. That was seven years ago. Four years before BEDFELLOWS was released. Case closed.