Watchmen STILL in Legal Limbo - Judge Can't Decide

Watchmen STILL in Legal Limbo - Judge Can't Decide

A federal judge said Monday that he was unable to decide whether 20th Century Fox controls rights to the movie that Warner Bros. has produced and plans to release March 9, leaving open the possibility that the dispute between the studios could be tried Jan. 20.

By ComicBookMovie - Dec 15, 2008 09:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Watchmen
Source: LA Times

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess told lawyers for Fox and Warners that a series of 1990s contracts between Fox and "Watchmen" producer Larry Gordon are so open to interpretation that he could not render a pre-trial judgment for either party, as the lawyers had requested.

Fox sued Warners in February, arguing that Gordon -- who once ran Fox -- assigned Warners "Watchmen" rights he didn't possess. Warners maintains that Fox holds no copyright on the movie, which is adapted by director Zack Snyder ("300") from the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

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MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/15/2008, 9:29 PM
mother...(lovers)
ThisFan
ThisFan - 12/15/2008, 9:50 PM
dang it just say the movie can be released
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 12/15/2008, 9:54 PM
let it out! why halt a movie because of legal mumbo jumbo? play the movie!
BOOK552
BOOK552 - 12/15/2008, 10:01 PM
I AGREE, I swear to god if this movie does not get released I will most likley burn down Fox Studios
Hyson
Hyson - 12/15/2008, 11:55 PM
Is it bad that I have no resentment towards Fox? In fact... I am rooting them on. To me Fox = Revenge of the Squid. Long live the squid.
CaptainAmazing
CaptainAmazing - 12/16/2008, 12:00 AM
The whole situation is crap. But you really can't blame Fox for being a bunch of whiney toddlers about it.
SGA
SGA - 12/16/2008, 12:38 AM
do you want to know what i can NEVER understand.

people who call themselves "true fans" are never open to the movies.

so what if things are a little different. I'm fighting this same fight w/ Dragonball.

It's got the tone, it's almost a flawless adaptation. but that's just what it is...an ADAPTATION. you adapt it, meaning some things HAVE to be changed to make it passable on the big screen.

as long as it doesn't affect the overall story of the original material, it should be good.

and don't give me "they're raping the source material/my childhood" blah blah blah.

shut the (explicative) up.

it's just a god damn movie anyways, it's not like it's the end of the (explicative)ing world.
Hyson
Hyson - 12/16/2008, 1:09 AM
While I don't think anyone has really taken it to that extreme yet, SGA, I'll humour you.

True fans will never be satisfied with a movie. That's just how it is, I think.

The Dragonball movie is just... very farfetched and more of a joke than anything which is why it disappoints so many.

I don't think Justin Chatwin captures the tone of Dragonball Z... nor do I see a pervert in that version of Roshi. Like you are saying though, adaptation.

Watchmen story will have to be altered to cater to this new ending. So, yes, there is alteration.

Whew, if you think just simple comments here on this site are bad, do not watch Alan Moore's videos and his thoughts about it.

No.

And my primary issue with Watchmen is Snyder. Snyder, I thought, did a pretty fantastic job with 300. His claims of exactness in his movies are very exciting for a comic book fan. I think because he finally has made a mistake... and, well, one I'd consider extreme, yeah, I'm going to complain about it in hopes that something could be done. Maybe not now but before, yeah. Anyways, I had high hopes, and they were shot down. Simple as that, and, yeah, I'm going to voice it. ;)
da2213viking
da2213viking - 12/16/2008, 1:16 AM
man i have to have this movie...as much a i think it will not be perfect but i love the book so i want to see it thrive
FrankGarret
FrankGarret - 12/16/2008, 3:02 AM
Glycon moves in mysterious ways.
iNsaneMilesy
iNsaneMilesy - 12/16/2008, 3:18 AM
You would thin kthat because the movie is already made, DC is owned by Warner Bros. and that FOX are a bunch of douchebags, the judge would just dismiss it entirely. This is why I hate the fact that FOX owns half of MARVELS franchises.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/16/2008, 6:41 AM
you see sga, these are not "fans" they are "fanboys"..an entirely different creature. the "fanboy" is never happy. in face, they seek out things to complain about. even the smallest thing needs to be met with dissaproval. they are pedantic and stubborn, and believe that all movies should be made for them and them alone.
parascythe
parascythe - 12/16/2008, 8:48 AM
if fox cant make a great movie that kills...i think they need to kill other movies,,hehehe
Hyson
Hyson - 12/16/2008, 11:08 AM
What some people consider complaints are sometimes criticisms, rorschach01. When you make the claims of precision that Snyder has and has the potential to live up to, yes, I will expect him to do it. I see no reason in half-assing unless it is a money issue. I do not expect this from every movie... maybe, just all of Snyder's. ;) And, in all honesty, I am not sure if any movie can capture Watchmen anyways, but it was going to be interesting to see what the medium of movies could do. And I think it'll be interesting to see how the two (Watchmen and Wolverine) fair against each other, Acerimmer1.
Shaman
Shaman - 12/16/2008, 11:11 AM
I say let the movie out even with all the actuall legal debate going on, and if Fox wins, they get a cut of the profits. If not, they get JACK! The movie should have the right to appear, there is no need to push the release later.
ComicMans1234
ComicMans1234 - 12/16/2008, 11:20 AM
if this movie doesn't get released. I say we get a mob together and go burn down Fox Studios.

grrr.
ComicMans1234
ComicMans1234 - 12/16/2008, 11:20 AM
if this movie doesn't get released. I say we get a mob together and go burn down Fox Studios.

grrr.
Shaman
Shaman - 12/16/2008, 11:26 AM
First of all, i'll say it, Watchmen is OVER RATED! Yes it is a fine piece of literature but that's it! To think of it as a storyline that is soooo perfect that any "adaptation" is bound to be a sacrilege, is ultimately idiotic! It's not like it was written in stone by god's own hand!!! Yes the story is brilliant and so was the DaVinci Code, so what?!?!?! They made a great movie out of it either way even though it wasn't "as good" as the book which can never possibily be! It's a damn book, a damn comic, a damn story and they're making it as a damn movie that will be damn different just like any other adaptation, like Harry Potter and LOTR!!! It's not about Snyder, you guys would've bitched even if Jackson was signed to do it! Even if the goddamn squid was in the movie you guys'd bitch about it not having the same color for Christ's sake!!! GET OVER IT!!! Even if Moore HIMSELF made it, you guys would be like "WTF?!?!" and loose all respect you have of him which is my theory about him, not wanting to have anything to do with his own adaptations. He KNOWS he's concidered a GOD while holding his "magic pen" but were he to drop it for a camera, he KNOWS too damn well he'd fall flat on his ass!!!
Spock
Spock - 12/16/2008, 11:56 AM
Just let the movie come out!!


There is a lot of $ that was invested & WB does want a good return from this. Allan Moore is a self proclaim WARLOCK--HE said himself that he will have nothing to do with Hollywood & could care less!


Book552---u might want to refrain from making swearing statements on the web.--Self incrimination--Just incase something does happen to Fox Studios.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 12/16/2008, 12:28 PM
I don't know Shaman, maybe he just knows he can write (he's been living off it for many many years and has a huge fan base) and the times he took his vidcam he realized everything he did was bad beyond legally sound. And WATCHMEN is not overrated, when you analize any artistic creation, you have to analize the context and the effects it had on it's medium. Watchmen changed everything for comic books, just as Alan Moore has changed them into a more serious form (I see him as one of the creators who matured the medium).

Now, hate to tell you so, but that's what happens when you change the ending and remove the psychic squid that teleports to NY at the end and change it with a machine. The squid will teleport to a legal court and bite you in the ass.

The problem I see with movies in general, is that they are adapting. Every medium has it's strengths and weaknesses, movies have entered a comfort zone and have not explored the limits that they have. Therefore almost all movies are made with a formula (2 teaspoons of love, 5 grams of character development, 10 tons of action). When they adapt something from another medium problems surface due to one mediums strength's or weakness', when that happens they just take out the formula and we've all seen how that turns out.

And apparently I'm not alone being pissed off at the "faithful adaptation" of Watchmen they made, after all they just changed the ending (and lord knows what else).
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/16/2008, 12:59 PM
I wouldnt say Watchmen is overrated..maybe over revered by some alright. it is just a comic..yes a revolutionary masterpiece of a comic..but still just a piece of art. and as any artist will tell you, if you create something and give it to the world it stops being yours completely. because not everyone looks at a piece of artwork and sees the same thing. And everything is open to interpretation, even watchmen.

and its not a sqid, its a 5th dimentional phalomaod! lol.
And its not real..its a creation of Veidts..so will the new threat be. You say tomato..i say wait and see the damn movie!
adamant877
adamant877 - 12/16/2008, 1:34 PM
You know the part that really pi$$es me off?! Fox waits until after post production on the movie, THEN they lay down the lawsuit!

It's like... "Hey, noone knows about this crappy little funny book anwyay, right? I mean, I don't know about it, right? So why worry, it'll probably suck like that stupid League of Extraordinary, Whatever!... Right?"

Then a couple months down the line they see the internet hype, hear all of the fanbase speaking excitedly about the possibility, and then they swoop down at the last minute, after seeing the stills and the teaser material (like the rest of us), and decide it's time to ask for their share???
Does anyone else find it incredibly unscrupulous that they would wait until after EVERYONE knew the movie was made, and then complain about the rights?!

I think I'm getting a Fox-sized migraine.
Coats
Coats - 12/16/2008, 1:46 PM
Bottom line. If Fox blocks Watchmen's release...they don't get my money for Wolvie. Hate to say it because it looks like a fun movie, but them's the breaks.
I heard from a friend that used to be with Warner that this whole thing is about Fox trying to leverage it's rights to release the (adam west) Batman tv show on DVD, from Warner. That could be hogwash, but if it's the case, the two of them need to get on with it. Let's just make some movies people!
Shaman
Shaman - 12/16/2008, 2:44 PM
You have a good point noob, and so do you Roar. Noob sees the ending as the squid where i see the ending as "the result" of the squid. So where i'll see a faithful adaptation, noob might see a discrace. That's what art is. It's abstract even at it's most precise, because of perception.

Hell, give Fox the damn Tv Show, i ain't buyin it!
crappybumbum
crappybumbum - 12/16/2008, 3:23 PM
This movie looks too good to be shut down...if they do not release, thousands of fans will most likely protest, eventually making the movie to be released. Just show the movie seriously...
IonParallax
IonParallax - 12/16/2008, 5:28 PM
I don't even care anymore, if it comes out cool. It looks awesome, I really do want to see it. If it doesn't, it goes into the annals of history as one of those "shoulda, coulda, woulda, but didn't." moments, ya know?

It's a shame FOX is seeking such a lawsuit AFTER the movie is completed. It's actually quite ridiculous, they knew it was being made and didn't take action until the time came when they saw an opportunity to make their pockets that much fatter, as Adamant explained.

If/when it does come out, every hate out there can finally shut their mouths and see the movie for what it is, an adaptation of a great piece of work. Whether the squids there or not, or Silk Spectre I likes the fact that she got (almost) raped, or the fact that they DO show that guys death on film (because of his stupid cape, in the bank, that guy) NONE of that means this film is going to be a bad adaptation, and just because you didn't like the 3 previous adapts of Alan Moore's work, doesn't mean this one will be bad too.

If you go into it thinking it's bad from the start, you are going to find every single possible thing wrong with it that you can, and there's NO WAY you are ever going to see it for what it (possibly) is...A work of art in it's own right. As all movies are, some may be crap, but make that judgement AFTER you see the movie and stop basing the outcome on 2 minutes worth of film and a dozen or so pictures. Unless you've been to a pre-screening of the film and actually KNOW what goes on in the movie, SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Wait until it's decided whether the movie is even going to come out, THEN go see it (with an open mind) THEN critique it and tell us all how much you hate it or joygazmed over it.

I for one, am done, until it's released. If it is ever released.
DrFever
DrFever - 12/16/2008, 6:01 PM
This movie will come out. They don't want to stop anything from coming out. They want $$$$$$$$$.
adamant877
adamant877 - 12/16/2008, 6:05 PM
IonParallax:

Couldn't have said it better myself!
sophosmoros
sophosmoros - 12/16/2008, 8:12 PM
IonP, Shaman, Rorshaco1, all very good points.

My 2 cents: Ian McKellen once said prior to the release of the LOTR films that despite all the pre-release fanboy criticism those films were getting, the original works were STILL OUT THERE. No one's messing with Watchmen, the graphic novel, just as no one messed with Tolkien's books, just like no one messed with Mario Puzo's Godfather after the movies came out. The film is a work of art distinct from its source material. Sure, it informs the public's appreciation of the source material, but it doesn't rewrite/redraw the comic.

Also, to echo previous comments, it's one thing to voice concerns about what might happen, but it's another thing to make accusations about a movie without actually having seen the final product.

Finally, Fox's only possible motivation for filing this suit post-production could be monetary gain, but although it's not very nice to us fans, it makes great business sense (apart from the bad PR.)

- If a judge enjoins WB from releasing the movie, Fox will be in a better position to negotiate a good settlement since they will have WB over a barrel.
- If the court allows the movie to be released, then the court may also grant Fox significant money damages (i.e. a big cut of the profits).

WB would only win completely if the court allowed the movie's release AND granted WB full ownership rights.

Any way you cut it, the movie will certainly be released (because the alternative is that nobody makes any money - except the lawyers - yay lawyers!) The real questions are 1) Will it be delayed? (probably not) and 2) How will this affect the future of either company?
NoobMike
NoobMike - 12/16/2008, 9:08 PM
I have said it many many times, I will see it with lots of reserve.

I think I may find some aspects of the director's previous work to be dull, and they better explain really really good all the aspects that lead up to the squidless ending, I have pointed out the problems with changing the ending on previous posts.

If it finally comes out (just another joke to add to my collection), and I hate it, I will definately let you know. Probably you won't stop hearing it from me, but as I have said before, although I have many many reservations regarding this movie, I have some manner of hope also (at least it will look cool).

And yes, adapting requires change and if you don't like it stick to the originals. Although this will be how the mass worldwide market will get to know Watchmen, it'd be really sad if it turns out as an awful adaptation.

Shaman, I see that therapy has been doing wonders (or is it parascythe's dancing spiderman?) everyone has valid points, even if they differ from your own.

And lawyers always make money, no matter what.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/16/2008, 9:24 PM
i want a rorschach boblehead
sophosmoros
sophosmoros - 12/16/2008, 10:11 PM
"And lawyers always make money, no matter what."

Boy, if only that were actually true....
Shaman
Shaman - 12/17/2008, 8:40 AM
Well, i have to say... the dancing spider-man is really helping me out here. Sometimes i go medieval because some posts should just not be made, but i rejoice when i can see someone post his opinion that differs from mine but is supported by reason and logic and not just idiotic unfounded ranting. I always make an effort to "represent" my opinion with the reason behind it like most of us "regular" posters. But when someone comes here and shits on everything comicbook related and doesn't even like the original artform as well as the different adaptations made of it, he's asking for WAR or else what the hell is he even doing here? Am i right?
IonParallax
IonParallax - 12/17/2008, 12:02 PM
FANSITE VOTING IS ON! Go! Check out the various fansites and VOTE VOTE VOTE! I love plugging this stuff.
Shaman
Shaman - 12/17/2008, 3:18 PM
Yeah SERIOUSLY, go vote people!!!
Kovacs
Kovacs - 12/17/2008, 6:19 PM
if it doesn't come out then we get a mob together and break in and steal the movie and release it online
realfirstavenger
realfirstavenger - 12/22/2008, 9:36 AM
no movie adaptation will appease everyone
the movie looks good to me
and Fox has every right to sue if they own the rights to something. They own it, they bought it, they should get money from their holdings. They have every right to sue.
I hope the movie comes out for good or bad
If you dont like adaptations, dont watch them
dont spoil it for everyone else
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