A federal judge in Los Angeles has set Jan. 6 as the trial date for 20th Century Fox’s lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the rights to the Watchmen movie.
According to Variety, U.S. District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess indicated the case isn’t suitable for the preliminary injunction that Fox had sought because the issues are too complex to be resolved on an interim basis.
Feess wants the case to move quickly, and has asked attorneys for both parties to expedite discovery and deposition proceedings.
Fox could still ask the judge to prevent Warner Bros. from releasing Watchmen following the discovery phase.
As we reported yesterday, Fox last week had asked for a June trial date, while Warner Bros. pushed for April. So Feess is working on an accelerated timeline.
Warner Bros., meanwhile, is still aiming for a March 6 opening for Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the Alan Moore-Dave Gibbons miniseries.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
That judge, he thinks he’s an alright guy.
never in my life did I think I’d have the knowledge to make a country music based joke.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Maybe a movie will never get made and Alan Moore can do a little dance.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
The movie’s already made. It’s in post-production as we speak.
In the end, Fox will get some bucks (even though, IMO, they’re not entitled), the movie will come out on time, and all will be happy. Well, all but Alan Moore.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Its already made for the most part, I think you mean not released.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I think the movie is nearly completed. It would just never get released.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
The movie’s pretty much done. At this point, all they can do is finish post production and get the film in the can and hope that Fox doesn’t have enough leverage to win the legal battle.
But for serious: if Fox thinks that there won’t be a major backlash against them from the fans, then they’re smoking some good smokey stuff. And what, exactly, will they do if they win? Go make their own Watchmen film? After seeing the trailer more than once myself, and knowing the huge anticipation and hype going on for the Zack Snyder film, no one will happy with seeing anything else. This is a win-lose situation for Fox, and they’re better off taking it on the chin and backing off.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Wait. Are all you trying to say the movie has already been made? It’s in post production? I mean is that what all of you saying? God…I wish someone could answer my question. I mean is the movie made? Is it? Please can 20 other people come and say the same thing? Please.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hey Ffej,
I don’t understand your question but it is in post porduction all the filming is done or the most part all the actors are done if that’s easier to follow. So yeah it’s in post porduction.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Let me just say one thing, the movie has already been made.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
FFej, I’d guess like everyone else, your comment was the only one I saw at the time I wrote my response.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
…What needs to happen is that a boycott of all 20th Century Fox films needs to be put into place until they drop the suit. The suit is a load of crap, and it’s about time consumers voted with their wallets and made it clear that the “if you can’t beat’em, sue’em” tactic won’t be tolerated any longer by consumers.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
The movie is wrapped (Photography is done, remains to add FX, music, etc.) Everyone who’ve seen a WIP has nothing but good things to say. Except Alan Moore, who hasen’t seen it, has likely no interest in doing so. He writes for a specific medium, and has no interest beyond that.
Fox is likely to attract media attention over this. Their original stated intent was to suppress the release of the movie, so no one would ever see it. Should any of their claim be found justified, it makes little sense to do this – the movie is found money to them. They didn’t invest in it, they could get a settlement from Warner, and gate receipts would be theirs too.
At worst, the release date will be delayed…
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I think what this discussion needs is another person saying that the movie’s already been made.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I was trying to even recall the last big box office movie Fox put out. They had a summer movie, didn’t they? Or did they sink all their cash into crap reality shows?
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Let me help you BBB:
I mean they are putting out Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. I mean that should be a blockbuster. And they got the A-team. Ohhhh….. Max Payne, also. Come on Fox, you got loads of money making movies on your hands, just let Warner have The Watchmen. Come on Fox, arn’t you still raking in the cash on such hits as The Banger Sisters,(By the way don’t let the title fool you, it’s not a porno.) and Dude, Where’s my Car. You know the more I think about all the great comic book movies they have made I think they should have the rights to The Watchmen. Such as Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen and so on. Those were all top quality flicks.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Hey Pete Schweaty: apperntly the movie has already been made. You heard it here first. Just so you know and we don’t have to have this conversations again.
Ha.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
They had some movies that did little business this past spring/summer. I think X-Files was meant to be their big summer movie.
Y’know, the one based on a once great TV show that ran at least three, maybe four, years too long and lost much of its audience by the time it limped to its finish. The one that had one mediocre movie at the height of its popularity on TV and somehow thought people would still care years after it went off the air, but instead disappeared after about three weeks in theatres. That one.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Oh, I meant to ask. Has the Watchmen movie actually been made?
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hey- does anybody know if the Watchmen movie’s been made?
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
We might as well start boycotting all fox movies right now in the theatres. Or, will we just keep bitching about it? Could this happen?
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Boycotting Fox as a whole won’t work, because non-comic readers couldn’t care less about who does what to Watchmen. If you guys wanna be heard you have to boycott the Wolverine movie specifically, while letting Fox know it’s all because of how they tried to screw up the Watchmen release. Or stop watching Fox news, but who could live without O’Reilly?
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Shaun and GreatKrypton have you heard more on if the Watchmen movie is done?
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Ffej:
I’ve heard rumors (just rumors, mind you…) that the Watchmen movie has already been made. Or it’s in post porduction. So if those rumors are true, then I would guess that the movie has been made or is in post porduction.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:45 am
***Spoiler Alert***
The Watchmen movie is pretty much rapped up, folks. Sorry if this is too much of a spoiler.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Turns out I’ve been unknowingly boycotting Fox movies for years! I’ve also been boycotting Denny’s, going to Europe and all my ex girlfriends! I’m a trend-setter! Next, I think I’ll boycott the unnecessary use of exclamation points.