Will Watchmen Be Delayed?

Posted by Robin Ruinsky (robin@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 2, 2008 Share

When director Zack Snyder took on Watchmen he probably thought his biggest obstacle was making a great film of a graphic novel that’s considered the best of its genre. He knew it would be impossible to please writer Alan Moore, and Watchmen has been considered almost impossible to put on film, but Snyder has done it and the film is scheduled to be released March of 2009.

Not so fast, says Twentieth Century Fox.

The biggest roadblock to the film is a lawsuit filed against Warner Bros. by Twentieth Century Fox. The lawsuit was filed in Federal court, and it asserts that Twentieth Century Fox is the owner of the rights to Dave GIbbons and Alan Moore’s “Watchmen”.

Fox wants the film’s release stopped. Warner Bros. is asking why Fox stood by while the film was being made, saying nothing, asserting no claim on the material. Fox even allowed Warner Bros. to take the rights to the title. They say it didn’t bother Fox when one of the producers of Watchmen, Lawrence Gordon, shopped it to other studios after Fox turned down the opportunity to make the film.

All of these assertions, assuming Warner Bros. is telling the truth, would be puzzling if it wasn’t for the obvious idea that what Fox wants is money, a cut, a share in the film. They saw Snyder’s 300 make a killing at the box office. Now would be the time to set things up to get a share of the profits should Watchmen match or exceed the success of 300.

The lawsuit could also involve Paramount and Legendary Pictures who are partners with Warner Bros. on the film. I have a feeling Fox might just end up as a partner too, though one who didn’t put up any of the over $100 million it cost to make the film.

I don’t think Watchmen will be delayed. I believe a deal will be worked out, and money will exchange hands. Still, there’s a chance the suit could cost Warner Bros. time as well as money.

What do Watchmen fans think? Is there fear that the film’s release will be delayed or will money help soothe Fox’s hurt feelings?

Source: The New York Times

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  • Blade16707
    Who gives a crap,this movie looks like garbage anyway.
  • Kris
    Oh, Fox is definitely out for some cash. I don't think they have anything to gain from delaying the movie and they certainly have nothing to gain from putting the brakes on it entirely.

    It's a strategic move. Fox has no sure bets for next year as far as I know, and they haven't been doing too hot on their theatrical features lately anyway. Warner has pretty much guaranteed a barrel of money from Watchmen by playing the trailer in front of the Dark Knight. Fox is smart to try to take a cut if there's a loophole for them to jump through to get it.

    Warner will hem and haw about it and then they will hand Fox a suitcase full of money. It will happen. I'm not concerned.
  • doctorwho904
    f"ing wankers . they bought the rights 20 years ago. put zero money in the film and want to be a partner . Just for that I hope that Fox has the lows ratings ever in the 08-09 scheule
  • Balls, you've deftly pointed out another reason why I shouldn't be copyediting at 4am. It's been fixed.

    Seann, well said. The legal arguments are really laughable here, as much as I want to see Watchmen as soon as possible. WB has all but admitted that they didn't go through the proper process of securing rights by using their argument that Fox fumbled the ball in not taking action during the pitch. Fox looks like a huge bad guy, but "being a bad guy" is not a civil argument. They'll definitely be seeing some money from this.
  • Alericc
    But Seann I think the point here is that Fox knew about this and if they stood by and did nothing when WB spent millions to develop a project and a they still didn't contest do they now have the right to claim a share of the profits?? I think there may be a clause in the copywrite laws that state if you become aware of an infringement you must notify the offending party that they are in the wrong.
  • Seann
    I'm almost embarrassed to be a big fan of this book due to all of the asinine comments made by all of the Watchmen fanbois against Fox.

    Either WB has gone through the contracts thoroughly and there is nothing to worry about or WB has made a HUGE F*ck up.

    If WB did do what Fox claims then Fox is entitled to a generous portion of the revenue generated by this film. Copyright infringement is no laughing matter at that level.
  • Meep
    Lmao Balls!

    I also think that there'll be a deal made. Fox probably wants to grab a huge chunk of the share.
  • I'm not here to judge. Well sort of but the headline is spelled incorrectly. Watchmen should
    have an 'h' in between 'c' and 'm'. Sorry to point that out but when something sad is posted
    and I see a title that's spelled incorrectly it takes the point out of it being sad. I'm really an
    idiot.
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