The Island 'faces copyright case'

Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor star in the film

A legal case has reportedly been filed against Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson's latest film The Island, alleging it was based on a 1979 film.

The producers of Parts: The Clonus Horror, asked a New York court for the sci-fi thriller to be withdrawn from cinemas, according to Variety magazine.

They want further releases of the film blocked plus "unspecified damages and part of the proceeds".

DreamWorks defended The Island, saying it was "independently created".

Critics' comparisons

It added The Island "does not infringe anyone's copyrights", but producers of Clonus cited 90 instances where they said it was "identical" to their film.

Several critics have drawn comparisons between The Island and Clonus.

McGregor and Johansson star as clones raised as a source of spare parts for humans who escape the compound they live in to shut down the cloning facility.

The 1979 film tells the story of a secret colony of clones raised in case humans need spare organs. One escapes and is chased as he tries to expose the facility.

The Island, directed by Michael Bay and released on 22 July, has not had particularly warm reviews in the US.

It is currently second in the international box office with takings of $42.2m (£23.5m), below Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which has taken $66.7m (£37.1m).