Hollywood has long been a breeding ground for plagiarism accusations, most of which never gain much traction. However, for years, a persistent rumor suggested that a disgruntled writer had successfully sued the Wachowski sisters over alleged similarities between her 1980s script treatment and their groundbreaking 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix. By 2005, reports even claimed she had won her lawsuit and received millions in damages. But was this really the truth, or was the real story even stranger?
In 1983, Sophia Stewart, an ambitious writer from the Bronx working as a paralegal, believed she had crafted a work of genius in her manuscript The Third Eye. Despite her confidence, she struggled to find a publisher. However, in 1986, she claims to have come across an ad from the Wachowskis seeking sci-fi story ideas for comic book adaptations. Seizing the opportunity, she allegedly sent them her entire manuscript, including character bios, a synopsis, and illustrations, but never received a response—or her materials back.
Fast-forward to 1999: Stewart, sitting in a theater watching The Matrix, experienced an eerie sense of recognition. She saw concepts and characters that, to her, mirrored her unpublished work. Convinced of foul play, she filed a copyright infringement claim with the FBI that year and, in 2003, took legal action against the Wachowskis. Adding to the intrigue, she also implicated James Cameron, claiming The Terminator had borrowed from her work as well.
The story escalated when an article titled “Mother of The Matrix Victorious” appeared in the Salt Lake Community College Globe on October 28, 2003. Written by a student journalist, it claimed Stewart had won her case and was set to receive a record-breaking payout. This article fueled online speculation, and for years, many believed she had successfully taken down a major Hollywood powerhouse. Even in 2013, some outlets reported this version of events as fact.
However, the truth was far less sensational. Stewart did not win the lawsuit. According to court documents, “plaintiff Sophia Stewart [will] take nothing by way of her complaint against defendants.” Reports indicate that she failed to appear in court, and the judge ruled that her legal team did not provide sufficient evidence to support her claims. Additionally, no substantial similarities between The Matrix and her manuscript were demonstrated.
Interestingly, Stewart never explicitly stated she had won against the Wachowskis. However, she did claim victory in a separate $150 million judgment against her attorney—a claim partially supported by court records, though the final payout remains disputed. As of 2013, she was pursuing an astronomical $3 billion in damages, though she insisted her main goal was not money but justice. “The judge took it upon himself to say I had to tally up the damages. I’m not seeking damages. I’m seeking for someone to go to jail.”
Stewart’s lawsuit against the Wachowskis remains a bizarre chapter in Hollywood lore. Some see her as a visionary robbed of credit, while others dismiss her as delusional. Her credibility suffered from the absence of the alleged 1986 magazine ad from the Wachowskis, which she never produced as evidence. Meanwhile, the Wachowskis maintained that no such ad was ever placed and that, at the time, they were merely university students, far from the influential filmmakers they would become.
Despite the case being dismissed, Stewart appears unwilling to let go of her claims. Her website, TruthAboutMatrix.com, remains active, detailing her allegations in full. Speaking to Time magazine in 2013, she remained defiant: “I won that judgment, and those judges are going to give me my money, and Warner Bros is going to pay it.” Whether this saga will resurface remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Stewart is determined to keep her story alive.
