During a crazy drum session of Rock Band 2 (yes, I have the cymbals) Kellvin forwarded me this surprise announcement from the court battle over Watchmen. Seems as if the judge ruled in Fox's favor:
In a surprise ruling, a federal judge in Los Angeles said he intended to grant 20th Century Fox’s claim that it owns a copyright interest in the “Watchmen,” a movie shot by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures and set for release in March.
The decision was disclosed in a five-page written order issued on Wednesday. Gary A. Feess, a judge in the United States District Court for Central California, said he would provide a more detailed order soon.
Fox has been seeking to prevent Warner from releasing the film. The superhero adventure, based on the “Watchmen” graphic novel, is being directed by Zack Snyder (who also directed “300”) and has shaped up as one of most eagerly anticipated releases for next year.
A Warner spokesman, Scott Rowe, declined to comment on the ruling and the studio’s plans.
At an earlier hearing, the judge said he believed that issues in the case could be settled only at a trial, which was scheduled for late January. On Wednesday, however, Judge Feess said he had reconsidered and concluded that Fox should prevail on crucial issues.
“Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the ‘Watchmen’ motion picture,” the ruling said.
Fox acquired rights to the “Watchmen” graphic novel in the late 1980s for the producer Lawrence Gordon, but eventually dropped its own plan to make a movie from its story, about the underside of life for superbeings.
Mr. Gordon later pursued the project with Universal Pictures, and then with Paramount Pictures, before shooting it with Warner and Legendary under an arrangement that allows Paramount to distribute the film abroad.
In ruling on Wednesday, Judge Feess advised both Fox and Warner to look toward a settlement or an appeal.
“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.
Big question is, will this films original March 6th release date hold true or is it going to be pushed back? I have no doubts that the movie will be released, but now that Fox own distribution rights will they wait? I'm betting Warner Brother lawyers dropped their drinks mid-party to hurry up and file an appeal. Warner and Fox could come to some sort of settlement but at what cost to Warner Brothers? Warner was simply doing what Fox wouldn't do, which is make a Watchmen movie. And now they have to pay for it.
But let's get something straight, Fox isn't the bad guy here. They have every legal right to pursue their property. Let's just hope they think of the audience that's anxious to see this on the big screen sooner rather than later. Then it'll truly be a happy new year for Watchmen fans.
Rule in my favor when you
