Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed
Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.Play Video
The Hangover, Part II: Stopped by a Tattoo?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Warner Bros, Sequels, Comedy, Upcoming Releases
The Hangover, Part II is set to open in theaters this weekend… or, is it? One thing may still delay the opening -- Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo.
More specifically, the fact that Ed Helms is wearing it in the flick (or, something that looks a lot like it). The tattoo artist who originally put the ink on Tyson’s face is suing Warner Bros. for copyright violation. S. Victor Whitmill, the artist behind the suit, is also asking for an injuction which would block the film’s May 26 release.
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| E! Online
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Disney Sued for Ripping Off Cars Script, Sequel Delayed?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Disney, Animation, Sequels, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases
Jake Mandeville-Anthony, U.K. screenwriter, has just filed an injunction to stop the June 24 release of the highly-anticipated Disney/Pixar sequel, Cars 2. His claim? The uber-company ripped off his script -- Cars was his idea in the first place.
Mandeville-Anthony says he originally submitted a script in the 90s, a three-part screenplay named “Cookie & Co.” and another piece titled “Cars.” His “Cars” contained a sample screenplay, animated car character descriptions, character sketches… even a marketing and merchandising plan. The writer alleges that he submitted his work to Disney and met with Lucasfilm exec Jim Morris in 1993. Morris would go on to join Pixar in 2005. He is now the company’s general manager.
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Read More | Perez Hilton
‘Pocketbooks’ Writer Now Says Movie Isn’t About Lindsay Lohan
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Satire, Comedy, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases, Videos
We tried to warn screenwriter/producer Charles Casillo -- who recently told the press that his Dogs in Pocketbooks character is “a role obviously based on Lindsay Lohan” -- that Dina Lohan wasn't going to go easy on him, but we never expected him to fold so quickly.
The comedic movie features a “a bratty movie goddess in and out of rehab, in trouble with the law, and hounded by greedy agents, predatory paparazzi, off-the-wall stalkers and crazed media.” The role will be played by Lydia Hearst. But now, Casillo says that the reports about his character are “totally blown out of proportion.”
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Read More | TMZ
Adrien Brody Sues to Stop One of His Own Movies
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Horror, Independent, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Distribution, Home Entertainment, Trailers
Academy Award-winning actor Adrien Brody is suing Hannibal Pictures, for whom Brody worked with two years ago to film Giallo. In the lawsuit filed last week, Brody sought to stop the release of the horror film. (The DVD hit stores yesterday.) His claim? The producers still owe him $640,000.
It’s too bad the film has been available in rental stores since September 7. “He should have gone to Blockbuster and picked it up,” quipped Martin Barab, a lawyer for the defense. The lawyer acknowledged that Brody has only received $960,000 of his $1.5 million fee.
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Read More | CNN
Hurt Locker Producers Sue BitTorrent Users
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Action, Drama, Political, Thrillers, Distribution
If you happened to download The Hurt Locker through BitTorrent, you may be receiving a lawsuit from the film’s producers in your mailbox soon.
In one of the largest lawsuits filed against individuals, Voltage Pictures is suing 5,000 internet users who downloaded the Oscar-winning film illegally. While Voltage currently only has the IP numbers of the targeted individuals, they’re working with ISPs to identify the pirates, who will be sent letters demanding that they pay $1,500 for being too cheap to catch the film on Netflix. If the $1,500 isn’t paid, Voltage plans to take the downloader to court at ten times the amount.
Voltage seems particularly keen on collecting their money, as the film has won numerous awards, yet only earned less than $17 million at the box office.
Read More | TG Daily via Perez Hilton
Paris Hilton Escapes Pay-Out
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Comedy, Celeb News, Celebrity Controversy
Paris Hilton was not at fault for her film-flopping, a court has ruled.
The socialite was sued by Worldwide Entertainment Group for allegedly breaching her contractual commitments for movie National Lampoon’s Pledge This!, but a Miami judge has ruled she did her best to promote it, stating the movie was “hardly destined for critical acclaim.”
District Judge Federico Moreno said:
“Any causal connection between Ms. Hilton’s alleged breaches and the financial ruin of the film are wholly speculative. The movie flopped because the film’s inexperienced producers hastily cobbled together a wholly inadequate marketing plan. They sent scattershot requests to their principal star in the hope she could find time to promote a sinking ship.”
While Paris won’t have to pay the $8.3 million damages the producers were asking for, she may have to return the $1 million fee she was given for the film. A receiver representing the producers has been given until August 26 to submit arguments as to why the blonde star should pay back the sum.
Michael Weinsten, Paris’ lawyer, said in a statement following the ruling: “We are grateful for the judge’s time and thoughtful consideration of the issues in this case.”
Watchmen Lawsuit Settled
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Mystery, Political, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Distribution, Upcoming Releases
Watchmen fanboys - you can now take a collective sigh of relief. The fight between Mommy and Daddy is now over.
Although it looked as if March 6th would be scratched off the calendar, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. agreed to play nice and settled their differences. The last-minute negotiations kept the film in the theaters and the parties out of the courtroom.
For its part, Fox will get a upfront cash settlement to cover its original investment fees and its legal costs. (According to sources, that check amount is somewhere in the $5-$10 million range.) The studio will also will also get 5-8.5% gross participation in the first film and a percentage in any possible sequels. In turn, Warner will get to continue as planned with only their logo on the project.
Read More | Variety
Watchmen’s Fate Handled in Federal Court
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Mystery, Noir, Political, Thrillers, Distribution, Upcoming Releases
UPDATE: Warner Bros. and FOX have settled the lawsuit.
Time hasn’t been kind to fans of Watchmen. Although we’ve already hit the New Year, the battle between Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox has just grown nastier. So what will this mean for the March 6 premiere?
Late last month, U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess ruled that Fox did have rights to the graphic novel adaptation. Although the studio had the opportunity to launch the film back in the late ‘80s (and had spent over a $1 million developing the project), the movie never came to fruition. Producer Larry Gordon allegedly agreed to check back with Fox first on any future plans, but later took Watchmen over to Legendary Pictures and Warner. Fox filed then filed a lawsuit back in February claiming Gordon neglected to properly acquire their interest before making the move.
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Read More | Variety
Mel Gibson Ordered to Participate in Q&A
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Drama, Foreign Language, Religious, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip
In response to a lawsuit filed by writer Benedict Fitzgerald, a judge has ordered movie mogul Mel Gibson to answer specific questions about expenses for his hit saga The Passion of the Christ.
Fitzgerald claims Gibson underpaid him for his work. The claim is that writer payments were lowered for Gibson-related expenses, a contractual violation. The screenwriter’s lawyer says Gibson spent large sums for personal reasons while filming in Italy, including $78,000 on a chiropractor bill.
Gibson has been ordered to appear for a deposition by mid-January to answer questions regarding the film. So far, his lawyer is unavailable for comment.
Read More | MSNBC
The Case of Batman vs. Batman
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels
Oh, the comedians are going to have a field day with this. In a just-strange-enough-to-work, headline-grabbing lawsuit, Batman will face off against the minds behind The Dark Knight. But will the case ever see the inside of a courtroom?
Batman isn’t just a comic book character who first appeared on the scene in 1939 (then called the Bat-man), it’s also an oil-producing town in Turkey. Batman has been refining the fuel since 1955 and boasts Turkey’s oldest refinery. But now, the issue of name infringement has been raised.
Huseyin Kalkan, mayor of Batman, has legally filed suit against Christopher Nolan (who directed The Dark Knight) and Warner Bros. in hopes of gaining a cut of royalties from the film (sure, aren’t there enough to go around?).
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Read More | E! Online
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