Fox get Watchmen for Christmas
Could the film be delayed? Or even canned?
BY Dec 25th 2008 8:08AMFILED UNDER: Movie news
User Comments (8)
Meeeeerry Christmas, Watchmen fans... The New York Times is reporting that a US District Court judge has concluded that 20th Century Fox "should prevail on crucial issues" in their lawsuit with Warner Bros. over who owns the rights to the much-anticipated Watchmen movie.
A trial to settle the dispute was planned for January, but now looks unlikely, with the judge recommending "the parties may wish to turn their efforts... to negotiating a resolution of this dispute."
This story will gather pace pretty quickly, but at the moment, here's how we see it...
1. It looks like Warners has pretty much lost its right to distribute any movie based on the Watchmen graphic novel. They might appeal but in the light of the judge's words, the case would now be pretty much unwinnable.
2. Fox and Warners need to strike a deal to split the movie's costs and takings. The problem here is that Warners is already divvying up with finance partner Legendary Pictures, so they'll be in no mood to be charitable.
3. The end result will probably be a joint distribution deal, but. because of both side's wide-apart positions, there's still a chance that Fox will delay - or even cancel - the movie's release.
Whatever happens, we can pretty much forget about that March release date.
Keep an eye on totalfilm.com for more on this one as it develops...
Questions: How worried are you about Watchmen's release? Do you think it might be cast into Distribution Hell?
Print Comments (8)
1: warneford87 says
Ahhhhh FOR f**kS SAKE FOX....SORT IT OUT, first you f**k up AVP1 and 2, then this. Don't you have enough bloody money already???? As usual it's the public who suffer.
Posted: Dec 25th 2008 // 9:08AMAlert a moderator
3: ashley.russell says
Worst christmas present EVER. Thanks a lot TF, I'll send you some anthrax for easter and then we'll be even.
Posted: Dec 25th 2008 // 9:29AMAlert a moderator
4: asfm1 says
This is officially the worst Christmas ever.
Posted: Dec 25th 2008 // 9:29AMAlert a moderator
5: freddojr says
Tell me it's not true! Shouldn't this have been sorted out before making the bloody thing? If this turns into a 'the best film never to be released' situation I'll be really p****d!
Posted: Dec 25th 2008 // 10:56AMAlert a moderator
6: ttucker says
Hey Ahsley Russell, don't shoot the messenger! Re question: Very worried. Been waiting for this one for years. Question is, who's going to be watching the watchmen? Anyone?
Posted: Dec 25th 2008 // 1:12PMAlert a moderator
7: alowe says
Like we said, delay is the most likely outcome. Could get messy if the Legendary Pics financing is weaved into the settlement, though...
Posted: Dec 26th 2008 // 9:44AMAlert a moderator
8: squirebrown says
brilliant news - hopefully we will be spared what will obviously be a dreadful shell of a movie - the trailers have been soooo underwhelming
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