Legal issues may force the Superman character rights to be split in two
This would all take effect in 2013, when the rights would likely revert back to the creators' estates, which makes Man of Steel exempt from any legal action, along with its sequels. However, the estates of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster won't own the character outright, and may only retain rights to specific character traits, such as Superman's blue leotard, red cape and boots, and the ability to leap tall buildings. DC Comics would retain rights to many of the villains, including Lex Luthor, and Superman's ability to fly. In other words, if another reboot of Superman was to happen, it would likely be a legal nightmare.
In theory, the estates of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster could move forward with their own movie, with these specific rights intact. An earlier ruling stated that Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster didn't own the Superman rights as a whole, since the character was created while they were employees at DC Comics. However, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's estates would not hold the trademark to Superman, which would be a key factor in moving forward on a new movie.
The heirs to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's estates are currently appealing the current ruling, to definitively state which party owns which parts of the Superman rights.
to read the full article.Regardless of the lawsuit outcome, Zack Snyder's Man of Steel will be released in 2012.
Man of Steel comes to theaters June 14th, 2013 and stars Henry Cavill, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Julia Ormond. The film is directed by Zack Snyder.
Comments (21)
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Nautical
What a sad mess.
1 year agoby @nautical05Flag
masterofthemoon
I'm sure DC Comics will be able to smooth things out so this split doesn't happen so any future Superman product does not get affected. I'd doubt Marvel is laughing about this one, they too had a legal issue they had to file for Bankruptcy before which delayed projects,but they got past it and moved on.
1 year agoby @masterofthemoonFlag
Dan
@ejk1 I'm sure they are. Superman's future is so f*cking weird right now...
1 year agoby @dan1Flag
ejk1
Marvel's just laughing at this one.
1 year agoby @ejk1Flag
Josh
What a clusterf*ck.
1 year agoby @shuabertFlag
ignitedspade
When are these two douchebags going to stop ruining one of our favorite superheroes. Go into your basement and create a new superhero or something, and stop mooching off other peoples' creations. This puts a pretty big damper on the Justice League movie.
1 year agoby @ignitedspadeFlag
Salem6777
WTF?!
1 year agoby @Salem6777Flag
MovieWiz001
@dan1 or in other words: GODGAMBIT!!!!!
1 year agoby @moviewiz001Flag
Dan
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1 year agoby @dan1Flag
Bane5000
After reading a letter online i think from the wife or daughter oF Seigel to DC and WB, it actually made me hope that the families get what theyre owed, seems DC or WB hasnt paid them for years when it comes to Superman or Supes related material, and that the families just want to settle it while both companies keep prolonging the court issues for themselves...
if anyone is interested i can show u the letter and let u see what i read and make up ur minds afterwards, lemme know...
1 year agoby @bane5000Flag
Superman81
This isn't good for Superman, DC needs to just honor the families and get past this so they can make sure Superman stays intact. A Superman divided is not good for anyone
1 year agoby @superman81Flag
MovieManiac
This is so stupid.
1 year agoby @moviemaniac66Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@pjwolsker Superman Red/Superman Blue from a separate story line in DC
1 year agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
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1 year agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Pjwolsker
first off.. whats up with those different colored Supermans????
1 year agoby @pjwolskerFlag
nitti21
Hmmmm.. I can see out of court settlement's coming, and it's going to cost DC big.
1 year agoby @nitti21Flag
J.P.
@k-man @cupid Playhouse is right. If they were to split the rights to certain aspects of the character up like that with one side getting the design of the suit and the other side getting the villains, we'd never get to see a complete superman movie again meaning the Snyder film deries would have to continue forever, figuratively speaking.
1 year agoby @jptheredskullFlag
Playhouse
@k-man @cupid 'Man of Steel' falls under the current agreement. Any sequels would have to be negotiated for. If there were to be a split in rights - which, honestly, would do neither party any good - it would affect any sequels as well as any new films, TV shows, animated series, etc.
1 year agoby @playhouseFlag
CUPID
@k-man This would all take effect in 2013, when the rights would likely revert back to the creators' estates, which makes Man of Steel exempt from any legal action, along with its sequels.
1 year agoby @cupidFlag
skywise
Hmmm well i guess we will have to wait and see. Sounds rediculous but weirder things have happened in movieland
1 year agoby @skywiseFlag
K-Man
Ok, but you guys (movieweb) say that if another "reboot" were to take place then it would be a "legal nightmare". Yes, I can see that for sure........but what about a sequel to the already in production Man of Steel? Its not a reboot and I'm sure the studios and the actors have all already signed the papers for possible sequels.
So what happens if Man of Steel rocks the box office (which it absolutely will) and the studio wants to immediately set the sequel into production?
Are there any legal loopholes that we can maybe hope for? Any lawyers present here??
1 year agoby @k-manFlag