More Insight Into the Fox/WB Watchmen Lawsuit

By George 'El Guapo' Roush on August 26, 2008

An interesting article from the NY Times takes a closer look into that whole "We own that shit." lawsuit from Fox regarding Watchmen that Warner Brothers is looking to release next year:

The Fox-Warner tiff turns on matters potentially more nettlesome to the industry at large. Central to Fox’s complaint is the mysterious matter of what is called turnaround.

On its face, turnaround is a contractual mechanism that allows a studio to release its interest in a dormant film project, while recovering costs, plus interest, from any rival that eventually adopts the project. But turnaround is a stacked deck.

The turnaround clauses in a typical contract are also insurance for studio executives who do not want to be humiliated by a competitor who makes a hit out of their castoffs.

That trick turns on a term of art: “changed elements.” A producer of a movie acquired in turnaround who comes up with a new director, or star, or story line, or even a reduction in budget, must give the original studio another shot at making the movie because of changed elements, even if a new backer has entered the picture.

Click HERE to read more on the lawsuit that may affect the film's potential release.

So are Fox being the bad guys in this, or just protecting their interests? I think in the fan's eyes, they've already been judged:

Source:NY Times

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  Comments

• WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN? Wed Aug 27 at 22:27 EST

  Why wouldn't they try to pull this is the question? They are not blind, they can hear our chants of lovely, warm, slick blood straight from the heart. Moolah, moeda.

  Author: Lourenzo | Permalink

• COÑO DE SU MADRE Wed Aug 27 at 14:23 EST

  Had to use the Venezuelan expression to curse Fox. Although reading a bit more in insight, why hasn't anyone spoken with producer Lawrence Gordon? Fox has acted like a snake in the grass, but I think Gordon has his fair share of guilt in this. Why hasn't anyone reached him for comment?

  Author: Juan Carlo Rodríguez | Permalink

• Dirty Tricks Wed Aug 27 at 04:27 EST

  my problem with this whole thing is the way that fox waited until WB had virtually finished the movie before taking any legal procedings - it's not like they didn't know WB were making it....it looks like Fox just wanted to back them further into a corner before making their move. I hope the legal system can see this for what it is, and don't penalise WB too harshly.

  Author: Migwit | Permalink

• Fox Leaches Tue Aug 26 at 20:58 EST

  I think Fox should get to the point and fire everyone who has had any connection with any comic book movie outside of the first 2 X-Men(that would include Tom Rothman stepping down). their ineptitude and lack of vision is the sole reason all their properties are the way they are.

  Author: reddog | Permalink

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