Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood Demand ‘Phantom Thread’ Music Removed from ‘Melania’ Documentary

Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood insist on removing ‘Phantom Thread’ score from the ‘Melania’ documentary over copyright issues.

When Art Meets Politics: The ‘Melania’ Documentary Controversy

If you’re a cinephile or a Radiohead fan—or both—here’s a scandal that’s caught my eye. The documentary titled Melania, which chronicles the 20-day lead-up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration, has become the center of a legal tug-of-war involving none other than visionary director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood. The duo has formally requested that the hauntingly beautiful music from Phantom Thread be pulled from the documentary due to unauthorized use.

Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson next to an image of Melania Trump

The story goes deeper than just a soundtrack dispute. Melania is no ordinary documentary. It’s the result of a fiercely competitive bidding war among streaming giants like Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Paramount Pictures. While Disney’s bid hovered around $14 million, Amazon swept in with a staggering $40 million—the highest ever paid for documentary streaming rights. The First Lady herself was reportedly inspired to greenlight the project following the warm reception of her 2024 memoir.

How Phantom Thread Score Found Its Way Into ‘Melania’

The documentary, released in cinemas last month, reportedly features a segment of the Phantom Thread score. For those who might have lived under a rock, Phantom Thread is a 2017 film directed by Anderson, with Greenwood crafting its unforgettable soundtrack. Their collaboration is legendary, blending cinematic storytelling with Greenwood’s signature atmospheric music.

But here’s the twist: Anderson and Greenwood say their composer agreement was breeched because Universal Pictures, which owns the score’s rights, did not consult Greenwood before licensing the music for Melania. That’s a big deal given the intricacies of music rights and creative control.

“While Jonny Greenwood does not own the copyright in the score, Universal failed to consult Jonny on this third-party use which is a breach of his composer agreement,” the pair said in a joint statement. “As a result, Jonny and Paul Thomas Anderson have asked for it to be removed from the documentary.”

Despite this clear request, the documentary’s producers have yet to publicly respond, and as of now, the Phantom Thread score remains part of the film’s soundtrack.

The Melania Documentary: Box Office and Reception

If you thought this documentary would have blockbuster appeal, the numbers tell a different story. Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania opened at a modest Number 29 on the UK box office, pulling in just under £33,000 (about $41,000) during its first week.

Globally, the film has taken in roughly $9.5 million against a $40 million production budget, with an additional $35 million spent on marketing. While these figures are impressive for a documentary, some have cast doubt on their authenticity. Reports surfaced accusing the film's backers of inflating box office numbers through questionable ticket sales.

Moreover, the audience demographics from the opening day paint an interesting picture: nearly half identified as Republicans, only 2% as Democrats, and 72% were female. Critics haven’t been kind either, with the film currently holding a mere 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Powerhouse Collaboration: Anderson and Greenwood’s Musical Journey

What’s fascinating here is the long-standing creative partnership between Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood. For nearly 20 years, Greenwood’s ethereal and sometimes unsettling compositions have enriched Anderson’s films. Beyond Phantom Thread, Greenwood scored The Master (2012), Licorice Pizza (2021), and most recently, One Battle After Another (2025).

Their most recent collaboration even snagged a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score, although it lost to Ludwig Göransson’s work on Sinners. This creative synergy has become a hallmark of Anderson’s films, making the unauthorized use of their work in Melania all the more sensitive.

What Happens Next?

The Melania documentary makers are now caught in a bind, balancing legal obligations and public scrutiny. Music rights issues are notoriously complex, especially involving high-profile artists and sensitive subject matter. Whether Anderson and Greenwood’s request leads to a soundtrack change remains to be seen, but the situation underscores the importance of respecting artistic agreements.

Did this controversy change your view on the Melania documentary or the power of film music? It’s a stark reminder: behind every scene and soundtrack lies a web of rights, creativity, and respect.

FAQ

• What is the main issue between Paul Thomas Anderson, Jonny Greenwood, and the ‘Melania’ documentary?
  Anderson and Greenwood requested the removal of Phantom Thread music from Melania due to unauthorized use violating their composer agreement.
• Did Jonny Greenwood own the rights to the Phantom Thread score?
  No, Universal Pictures owns the copyright, but they failed to consult Greenwood for third-party use.
• How was the Melania documentary received at the box office?
  It opened modestly, ranking 29th in the UK with under £33,000 in its first week and earned around $9.5 million worldwide.
• What other films have Anderson and Greenwood collaborated on?
  Their collaborations include The Master, Licorice Pizza, and One Battle After Another.
• Has the Phantom Thread music been removed from the documentary yet?
  As of now, no; the music remains in the documentary despite the request.

If you love film scores and iconic albums as much as we do, why not celebrate your passion with a stunning album cover poster? Shop your favorite at our store here for a timeless piece of art to brighten your space.