The International Distribution of James Gunn's Film Faces Obstruction by the Estate of Superman's Co-Creator
If you're hailing from Australia, Canada, Ireland, or the UK, there's a possibility you might miss out on watching James Gunn's take on Superman. The estate of Superman co-creator Joseph Schuster has taken Warner Bros. Discovery to court, attempting to halt the movie's release in these regions.
As reported by Deadline, the lawsuit is rather complex, boiling down to intricate copyright laws. While Schuster and Jerome Siegel signed over worldwide rights to Superman in 1938 for a mere $130, this agreement doesn't hold up everywhere. For instance, in the UK, such deals expire 25 years after the creator's demise.
"Shuster died in 1992 and Siegel in 1996," the lawsuit states, claiming that Warner Bros. Discovery is exploiting Superman in these countries without the Shuster Estate's consent, violating local copyright laws.
The Shuster Estate is seeking damages, an injunction against the infringement, and declaratory relief establishing its ownership rights across these jurisdictions. Warner Bros. Discovery, however, strongly disputes the lawsuit's merits and has vowed to defend its rights vigorously.
Legal battles of this magnitude seldom conclude swiftly. Whether the court sides with the estate or the studio, blocking the Superman film's release in these regions would be an uphill battle. With the film scheduled to release in July, both parties are gearing up for a hard-fought contest.
James Gunn's Superman, starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, is set to hit theaters on July 11.
If you're craving more io9 news, check out the forthcoming releases of Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, the future of DC Universe's cinematic and television projects, and everything you need to know about Doctor Who's future.
Enrichment Insights:- The lawsuit was filed by the estate executive, Mark Warren Peary, on behalf of the Shuster estate.- The Shuster estate argues that copyright assignments terminated 25 years after Joseph Shuster's death, reinstating the rights to his estate.- The estate seeks damages, an injunction, and declaratory relief explaining its rights across jurisdictions.- Warner Bros. Discovery expresses confidence in defending its rights, suggesting they may not let the lawsuit halt the release.- Previous Superman rights legal battles have been settled in favor of Warner Bros. The outcome of this case remains uncertain.
The Shuster Estate, represented by Mark Warren Peary, has taken issue with Warner Bros. Discovery's planned release of James Gunn's Superman in certain regions, citing technology-driven changes in copyright laws. According to io9, if the estate succeeds in its legal battle, it could impact the future of movie releases and copyright on a global scale.
