Time Running Out for Watchmen
Watchmen
With a judge's ruling in hand, attorneys for 20th Century Fox are seeking a court order to delay the release of Watchmen, one of the most anticipated movies of 2009.
U.S. District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess found last week that Fox "owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute" the Warner Bros.-produced film, slated for March 6 release.
Fox argues that it controls the rights to the hugely successful graphic novel under a series of agreements with producer Lawrence Gordon. Gordon has declined to testify on his 1994 agreements with Fox, saying he could not remember what he knew from his own experience and what he had learned from his attorneys.
To fans who've seen the haunting trailer of the film, about two generations of super heroes, the legal threats may seem like the kind of snappy patter costumed crusaders use to psyche out opponents and avoid scuffles.
In this case, Fox may hope to pressure Warner into a large financial settlement by threatening to use the strongest weapon in its arsenal: the threat of delaying the movie's release.
Fans have waited more than two decades for a film adaptation of the award-winning graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Directed by 300's Zack Snyder, the film features an ensemble cast including Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, and Billy Crudup.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Fox attorney Randy Kender said he will continue to seek a delay in the release until the legal issues are resolved.
He did not return a call Tuesday from TVGuide.com, but a Fox statement said the judge's ruling "speaks for itself."
Warners said it has no plans to move the movie's release date.
"We respectfully but vigorously disagree with the court's ruling and are exploring all of our appellate options," Warner said in a statement.
The judge has urged the parties to forgo the trial and try to negotiating a resolution, but they remained at odds at a status hearing Monday.
A court date is scheduled for Jan. 20, which doesn't give the studios much time to resolve their issues over the rights — or Fox's claims that Warner also committed contract interference and breach of contract.
What do you think? Will moviegoers gets to watch Watchmen on March 6?
