Writer Charles Bolfrass has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court claiming that UK prog-rockers Muse stole elements of his “cinematic science-fiction rock opera” entitled Exogenesis for their 2009 full-length release, The Resistance, specifically with the three-song suite “Exogenesis I,” “Exogenesis II” and “Exogenesis III.”

The suit, which also claims that the cover art for The Resistance contains an element taken from the storyboards for Bolfrass’s rock opera, seeks $3.5 million in damages.

According to Courthouse News, Bolfrass reached out to Muse and two other unnamed bands to see if they’d be interested in composing the score for his Exogenesis project back in 2005, with the band responding a year later to say they weren’t interested.

The opera’s plot details the end of life on Earth leading to humans exploring other planets to inhabit. According to the liner notes found in The Resistance, “It is a story of humanity coming to an end and everyone pinning their hopes on a group of astronauts who go out to explore space and spread humanity to another planet.” Too close for comfort? According to the lawsuit, Bolfrass’s answer is a resounding yes.

While the lawyers sort through the charges, Muse is busy preparing for the October 2^nd release of their new album, The 2^nd Law, songs from which the band will debut on the latest season of BBC2 show Later…with Jools Holland on September 28.

–Scott T. Sterling, CBS Local