The Associated Press is reporting that an attorney for 20th Century Fox says the studio will try to delay Warner Bros.’ upcoming film Watchmen.
On Christmas Eve a federal judge in Los Angeles said Fox owns a copyright interest “consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the ‘Watchmen’ motion picture,” according to a ruling quoted in the New York Times. He had earlier said he believed the case could only be settled at trial, set to begin in Jan. 20. That, of course, jeopardizes the film’s planned March 6 opening.
Judge Gary A. Feess is now urging the parties to reach a settlement or appeal. Fox says they still own the rights to adapt the groundbreaking graphic novel Watchmen from a deal they made in the ’80s. Warner is maintaining that Fox’s case has “no merit” and so far says the movie will open as planned.
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>> Judge rules for Fox in ‘Watchmen’ flap — what’s next?
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