Nic Pizzolatto has offered a biting riposte to those accusing him of plagiarizing Ligotti for True Detective.
True Detective creator Nic Pizzolato has hit back at claims that the critically acclaimed HBO show - particularly those sprawling existential musings from Matthew McConaghey's Rust Cohle - was plagiarized from the work of author Thomas Ligotto and others.
Nic Pizzolatto [L] and Matthew Mcconaughey [R] [Getty/Frederick M.Brown]
The specific claims focused on Ligotti's novel The Conspiracy Against the Human Race though Pizzolato and HBO - now working on season two of the show - were quick out of the blocks.
"Nothing in the television show True Detective was plagiarized," said Pizzolatto. "The philosophical thoughts expressed by Rust Cohle do not represent any thought or idea unique to any one author; rather these are the philosophical tenets of a pessimistic, anti-natalist philosophy with an historic tradition including Arthur Schopenauer, Friedrich Nietzche, E.M. Cioran, and various other philosophers, all of whom express these ideas. As an autodidact pessimist, Cohle speaks toward that philosophy with erudition and in his own words. The ideas within this philosophy are certainly not exclusive to any writer."
More: meet the probable cast of True Detective season 2
More: will Vince Vaughn really lead True Detective season 2?
More: Colin Farrell set to be cast in True Detective season 2
HBO were even clearer, saying in a statement, "True Detective is a work of exceptional originality and the story, plot, characters and dialogue are that of Nic Pizzolatto. Philosophical concepts are free for anyone to use, including writers of fiction, and there have been many such examples in the past. Exploring and engaging with ideas and themes that philosophers and novelists have wrestled with over time is one of the show's many strengths - we stand by the show, its writing and Nic Pizzolatto entirely."
Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle in 'True Detective'
True Detective has proved to be one of HBO's most successful shows in years, landing 12 Emmy nominations and inciting a frenzy of rumors and speculation surrounding the cast for season two.
Earlier this week it was reported how Vince Vaughn was being lined up to play the chief antagonist, with Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss playing detectives investigating the murder of a corrupt city manager amid a potentially groundbreaking transportation deal that would forever change freeway gridlock.
Jake Chambers is an 11-year-old boy who has been having visions of a strange other...
Based on a true story, this lively and sometimes outrageous adventure is packed with twists...
The quality of the animation in this musical comedy may not be up to Pixar...
Since its true story is still so timely after some 150 years, we can forgive...
Gold is more than a valuable commodity for Kenny Wells, to him it's an obsession....
From Laika (The Boxtrolls), this is one of the most beautiful, sophisticated animated films in...
Kubo is a young boy who lives with his mother. Kubo has always been influences...
Buster Moon is one of the good guys, he's a koala who's lived his life...
The brutal reality of war is those who often die and put their lives on...
Brainy blockbuster maestro Christopher Nolan heads into deep space with this epic adventure, which is...
Indie filmmaking is one of the best niches to find super-talented directors and writers; and...
Richard Linklater is well known in the film industry as one of the stand out...