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This is the mail I never , ever , wanted to write . The C. W. Post I never , ever thought I’dhaveto write . But writing it I am , scarcely believing the words even as I type them : theWatchmenmovie is embroiled in a legal battle that , ( in a worst display case scenario , ) could terminate up having it be barred from spillage , indefinitely .
What malevolent cabal would ever concoct such an insidious plot as to kill the long - awaited adaptation of our favourite graphic novel of all time ? There is only one organization that evilness : 20th Century Fox .
The effectual broo - ha - hour angle start out back in February of this year , when Fox lodge a copy violation and breach of declaration courtship against studio Warner Bros. , which possess the current version ofWatchmenbeing helmed by director Zack Snyder ( 300 ) . Fox ’s claim was that they had obtained the rights to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons ' musical style - shatter graphic novel , and all subsequent film attempt related to it , between the years of 1986 and 1991 .
But when assay to make the film in the 80 ’s and early 90 ’s drag one’s feet , the usual sound gymnastic exercise ensued , with Fox sell off fond rights ofWatchmento other concerned company ( who at last go under ) , all with the savvy that Fox would still hold the single rightfield to distribute anyWatchmenfilm , sequels or spin - offs ( like " The Black Freighter " tie - in ) that got made down the line , unless an goodish buy - out fee was pay up to the studio .
Well , after nigh two decades of starts and stops and almosts , Watchmenwas last thresh about into the laps of Warner Bros. by producer Larry Gordon , who had obtained the rights to the film in a turnaround agreement with Fox in 1994 , with the stipulation ( agree to Fox ) that the studio ’s original terminal figure of contract bridge still be honored , include the buy - out fee . According to the Fox ’s lawsuit , Gordon and Warner Bros. failed to make good on that promise .
After Fox register suit , Warner Bros. directly file a motion for dismissal with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California , claim to have done no wrong . As of this retiring Friday , the judge has thrown out that motion , leave Fox to continue full - steam with its lawsuit .
WithWatchmenhaving already wrapped its principal shoot , and gearing up for its March 6 , 2009 firing , Fox is urging that the case to be fast - tracked , and , if this a la mode motor inn natural process is any indication , the justice will heed that call . Even worse , Fox is n’t just looking to sink into Warner Bros. ' sack for win : they ’d rather see the movie ban from dramatic art altogether .
" When you have copyright infraction , there are some damages you never reclaim , " said a source close to the litigation . "
This makes me fed up TO MY STOMACH . I ’m going to adjudicate not to curse , but WTF is wrong with 20th Century Fox ? ? ? ? To put this in terms of a rap beef : drop by the wayside playah - hatin ' .
Seriously though , I sense like this is all a nauseous bit of scheme to help Fox have a unspoilt $ ummer at the multiplex in 2009 . Think about it : ifWatchmengets knock off the ' 09 lineup , it leave the mirthful account book lane astray open for Fox ’s own property , most notablyX - Men Origins : Wolverine . The uncomplicated truth is that Fox has reasonableness to be frightened : sincethe first trailer premiered , then thefan excitement at this year ’s Comic - Con , and now acclaimed directors likeKevin Smith spouting gospel about how freakin good Watchmen truly is , the moving picture has been ball up - up as one the most highly predict button of 2009 . ( Even the original graphic novel has startedflying off shelf !
But the truth of the matter is that studios have been prove to makeWatchmenhappen since the 80 ’s . Even in recent years , industry heavyweights like Paul Greengrass and Guillermo Del Toro were woo to get aWatchmenfilm up and hold up , and nothing ever came of it . What Fox is doing to Warner Bros. and Zack Snyder is like the old man who has bulge a handful of Viagra with no success , get raging with the new guy who walk by and knocks off the hot - chick , no problem . No one respects that one-time coot .
I solemnly swear : ifWatchmenends up on the list of cracking motion picture that almost made it , I will be leading the charge to make Fox PAY . I will slam every one of the crap movies and goggle box record they put out , and apply every bit of my blogger - superpower ( it ’s about 3/4 as potent as flower - power ) to downright brainwash every suggestible reader into boycott any movie released by 20th Century Fox untilWatchmensees the light of day . ( Sorry Wolvy , you ’ll be my first dupe . Just to let these stuffed - suits know I ai n’t playing ! ) Fox will come to learn the TRUE significance of the word " backfire , " and I think I verbalise for a outstanding manyWatchmenfans when I say that .
Are you trembling with fear at the mentation ofWatchmengetting the ax ? Is your stomach churning with a mix of nerves and disgust like mine is ? Damn being unsounded , let your battle - shout be heard on this one !
Sources : Slashfilm , Watchmen Comic Movie , IGN , Film o Filla , Deadline Hollywood Daily , Variety
