Fox Gains Watchmen Movie Distribution Rights

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GrnMarvl14

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This hasn't been the best Christmas Eve for Warner Bros. as the New York Times reports that 20th Century Fox has won a ruling against Warners towards their claim over the rights to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' graphic novel Watchmen, which director Zack Snyder turned into a nearly completed film.

Originally, the matter was going to be settled at a trial set for late January, just six weeks before the intended release for Snyder's movie on March 6. In a surprise ruling, Judge Gary A. Feess concluded that 20th Century Fox owns a copyright interest and have the right to distribute the movie themselves, having acquired the rights to the graphic novel in the late '80s before shelving the intended film. Judge Feess has suggested that the studios work on a settlement or an appeal rather than going to trial, but we probably won't hear the results of this decision until the New Year.
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Not a huge story, but it's an interesting continuation of the legal battle. Likely affects which specific theaters get it (i.e., if your local theater doesn't usually get Fox-made movies...you likely won't get Watchmen. Though...I'm genuinely curious as to whether that's true for anyone).
 
Geez, the movie's out in March and they're STILL fighting over it?
 
So now what's going to happen to the movie? Is it still going to be released? Or is this going to get tied up in the courts and leave it in limbo? Inquiring minds want to know.
 
I haven't heard any serious comments about it not being released (if Fox can make ANY money off of this...I'm sure they'll step aside to let the cash flow). But here's a nice update that brings up a nice, pseudo-prophetic quote from Alan Moore (the writer of the original series, for anyone not aware) earlier this year.
 
Uh-oh, looks like Fox wants to delay the release.

An attorney for 20th Century Fox says the studio will continue to seek an order delaying the release of Watchmen, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess last week agreed with Fox that Warner Bros. had infringed its copyright by developing and shooting the film, scheduled for release March 6.

Feess said Monday he plans to hold a trial Jan. 20 to decide remaining issues.

Fox claims it never fully relinquished story rights from its deal made in the late 1980s, and sued Warner Bros. in February. Warner Bros. contended Fox isn't entitled to distribution.

Warner Bros.' attorney said Monday he didn't know if an appeal was coming, but thinks a trial is necessary and a settlement unlikely.
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The fanboys will not be happy.

I foresee a huge Internet shitstorm from this, similar to when WB delayed Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Also, it's odd I have no interest in Watchmen as a movie, but I find this story fascinating.
 
For some odd reason, I'm really not surprised that Fox wants to delay it. Call it a hunch or something. Of course, with further legal action coming, it'll probably just be delayed anyway...

(Wonder if it'll ever get released in my lifetime? And I'm sure Alan Moore is loving this.)
 
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