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If I ain't watching this in the theater on 3/6/9 I swear I'm boycotting Fox up the wazoo!
The New York Times reports that federal judge Gary A. Fees in Los Angeles Wednesday filed a five-page written order on the Fox vs. Warner Bros. 'Watchmen' lawsuit.
Fans will recall that earlier in the year 20th Century Fox filed a lawsuit which made a claim to the film rights for 'Watchmen' and asked the courts to block the March 2009 release of the film. Their claim stems from the fact that they initially held the film rights, which transitioned through a number of studio hands via "turnaround" procedures outlined by Fox's agreement. When they finally landed at Warner Bros., Fox's right of first refusal were not honored, thus creating the legal hook on which the studio's argument hangs.
"Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the ‘Watchmen’ motion picture," Fees' ruling said.
The Times also reports that, although it is counter to his previous assessment of the case, the judge urged the studios to seek some manner of settlement.
"The parties may wish to turn their efforts from preparing for trial to negotiating a resolution of this dispute or positioning the case for review," he said.
Back in August, sources for Variety close to the Fox legal team supposedly said they are not looking to settle, but rather to block the release of the film and stand on principle.
However, some on the internet speculate that the lawsuit is actually part of a studio grudge match rooted in the 1960s 'Batman' TV series, of all things. See Fox created the series back in the day and still owns the show. However, they have no control over the home video distribution rights for the Batman character. Therefore, they're holding a DVD (or Blu-Ray) cash cow that they can't milk. For whatever reasons they have not been able to work out an agreement with Warner on that issue. So, the theory is they're making trouble with 'Watchmen' as leverage against their 'Batman' concerns.
Regardless of the case, Fox now appears to have the leverage they need and Warner Bros. will have to do something to ensure their biggest movie of the year isn't damaged.
If I ain't watching this in the theater on 3/6/9 I swear I'm boycotting Fox up the wazoo!
Let me get this straight. The campiest expression comic books which took away any potential legitimacy for comics as mainstream & for adults is blocking the release of a movie based on the comic book which gave comics mainstream legitimacy & its "appropriate for adults" standing? *sigh*
Federal Judge Gary A. Fees is a douchebag. Period.
This should never have gone to court, FOX has no rights to WATCHMEN, and should not be able to bloc kthe film from release.
BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As far as I am concerned Fox's staff and their lawyers overlooked ROFR for years therefore the judge should have just said: Screw 'Em.
Fox had the property for years and lost track of it and visible interest. Now that Warner made it, and they are the studio behind perhaps the best and greatest comic movie of all time now, Fox wants to cry and claim rights. Granted it is the only way Fox can make any real money and gain some artistic merit off of a comic book/graphic novel movie.
Look at their track record so far. The only real claim of success that jumps into my head is “X-Men”. And that was never really great, never really bad… just so so… except X3, that was horrid all around. And this grudge… Fox just needs to admit to it, their Batman sucks and even though I have a solid collection of Batman comics, banks, toys and etc. spanning back to the ‘50s I still wouldn't want that crap TV show in my catalog (unless sales of that show mean they will put out the Green Hornet then I may consider it).
hey Joey, if it doesnt come out March 6th, it would be a much MUCH better SUMMER flick... agreed?
Boycott Fox? We need to boycott WB for blocking Batman. I want some Adam West on Blu Ray!!!!!!!! *POW!!!* *PAM!*
If the film is delayed I ain't paying for Wolverine. I'm downloading that shit!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
"Back in August, sources for Variety close to the Fox legal team supposedly said they are not looking to settle, but rather to block the release of the film and stand on principal".
You mean the same "principle" that kept Fox from stopping this early on, instead of waiting for Warner Bros. to complete the film. If Fox knew they had the rights they should have notified the WB instead of sitting idle and waiting for the lawsuit at the last minute.
Using their "principle" and Hanso' idea:
"I have been aware of the Wolverine movie coming up, I have been intending to pay to see it; however, I think I'll just bit torrent the thing at the last minute so they don't get any money". Stupid executive morons. BOYCOTT FOX !
Word! I'll even post the link for my fellow Maniacs to download it.
Speaking of 60's Batman, I just found out Eartha Kitt died today. RIP Catwoman.
Hanso, I can't find any reference to Eartha Kitt dying, with the sole exception of wikipedia... not even her official website.
Considering I don't know the legal side of this deal, I'll refrain from making a very poor uneducated guess as to who's right or wrong. But I do think it's sour grapes on Fox's side.
Squid
I don't care who releases it, I just want to see this film. I just hope the studios think of the fans and come to an agreement asap.