A dispute has emerged between Jonny Greenwood, the composer for the band Radiohead and for the film Phantom Thread, and the creators of the documentary Melania. Greenwood, along with film director Paul Thomas Anderson, has formally requested that a song composed by Greenwood be removed from the documentary. This demand stems from an alleged breach of his composer agreement, as the music was reportedly used without his prior consultation.
The documentary Melania, focusing on the former First Lady, has garnered significant attention, partly due to its substantial production and marketing costs. Industry observers are weighing the financial aspects against critical reception and the current legal action involving Greenwood and Anderson.
Background of the Dispute
The core of the disagreement lies in the use of a musical piece, identified as "Barbara Rose" from the film Phantom Thread, within the Melania documentary. Greenwood, who composed the score for Phantom Thread in collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson, asserts that his composer agreement was violated.
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A statement attributed to Greenwood's representative indicated that Universal, the distributor of the Melania documentary, failed to consult Jonny on this third-party use.
This lack of consultation is cited as a breach of his composer agreement.
Greenwood and Anderson are seeking the removal of the music from the film.
Context of the Melania Documentary
The documentary Melania has been the subject of considerable discussion, both for its subject matter and its commercial backing.
The film reportedly had a substantial acquisition cost for Amazon MGM, with estimates around $40 million, plus an additional $35 million for marketing.
Despite these investments, the film has faced mixed to negative critical reviews. It has been described by some outlets as a "puff piece" and "propaganda."
Critically, the documentary holds an 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film chronicles a 20-day period leading up to a significant political event, related to the former First Lady's husband.
Amazon reportedly did not share the film with the press before its release, a decision that has drawn comment.
The Music's Origin and Ownership
The piece in question, "Barbara Rose," was originally created by Jonny Greenwood for the 2017 film Phantom Thread.
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Greenwood is known for his long-standing creative partnership with director Paul Thomas Anderson, having scored several of Anderson's films.
While Greenwood composed the score, reports suggest he does not hold the copyright to the music.
However, his agreement as a composer reportedly includes stipulations regarding the consultation of third-party use of his work.
Industry Reactions and Financial Considerations
The substantial financial outlay for the Melania documentary, coupled with its critical performance and the current music dispute, has prompted industry speculation.
The high cost has led some in the industry to speculate that Amazon's acquisition might have been an effort to foster positive relations with the then-administration.
The box office performance, while exceeding initial projections for a documentary with $13.35 million domestically after two weekends, is unlikely to cover the reported total investment.
The demand for music removal adds another layer of complication to the film's release and distribution strategy.
Expert Perspectives
Legal and industry professionals have commented on the implications of such disputes in film production.
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Instances where artists allege unauthorized use of their work highlight the importance of clear contractual agreements, particularly concerning derivative uses and licensing.
The complexity of copyright and composer agreements can lead to disagreements over what constitutes a breach, especially when third-party distribution is involved.
The significant financial stakes in major film productions can amplify the impact of legal challenges.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The demand from Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson for the removal of their music from the Melania documentary presents a direct challenge to the film's distributors.
The central claim revolves around a violation of Greenwood's composer agreement due to a lack of consultation regarding the use of his music.
Universal, as the distributor, is identified as the party that allegedly failed to consult Greenwood.
The outcome of this dispute will likely depend on the specific terms of Greenwood's agreement with Universal and Phantom Thread's music rights holders.
It remains to be seen how Amazon MGM and Universal will respond to the request for music removal and whether legal action will be pursued if the music is not excised from the film.
Sources
Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/media/melania-documentary-film-must-remove-radiohead-founders-song-composer-demands
Context: Reports on the demand for music removal, framing it within a media panel discussion on the documentary.
Euronews: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2026/02/10/paul-thomas-anderson-and-radioheads-jonny-greenwood-demand-music-to-be-removed-from-melani
Context: Details the Oscar nominations for Phantom Thread and provides critical commentary on the Melania documentary.
Metro: https://www.metro.co.uk/2026/02/10/radiohead-star-demands-music-removed-dull-melania-documentary-26812426/
Context: Focuses on the "rocky start" for the documentary and the specific claim of a breach of agreement.
Variety: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/melania-anderson-greenwood-want-phantom-thread-music-removed-1236656857/
Context: Provides detailed reporting on the request, the film's costs, and its box office performance.
NME: https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-thomas-anderson-and-radioheads-jonny-greenwood-want-phantom-thread-music-removed-from-melania-doc-3928493
Context: Highlights the high bid for the documentary's streaming rights and the film's critical rating.
The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/melania-radiohead-music-documentary-jonny-greenwood-b2916961.html
Context: Discusses the financial viability of the documentary given its acquisition and marketing costs, and critical reception.
Screen Rant: https://screenrant.com/greenwood-radiohead-music-removed-melania-documentary/
Context: Reports on the demand for music removal and Greenwood's right to have a say in the use of his work, even without copyright ownership.
Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/radiohead-removal-song-melania-trump-documentary-b1270423.html
Context: States Greenwood's demand and the claim of a breach of his composer agreement, referencing the specific song and its use.
