If the recent (Japanese) Watchmen trailer wasn’t enough, we’ve got plenty more news. But this time around, it’s not all awesomeness, it’s a bit good and bad. A Judge will decide the release date – and the 10th Watchmen Journal has been released.
First, the bad news. On January 20th, the fate of fans will once again rest in the hands of US District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess. In court papers filed on Monday, both Fox and Warner Bros. have agreed to let the federal judge decide–foregoing a jury trial. Judging by Feess’ prior rulings, I’d say this doesn’t play in The WB’s favor.
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With the Judge having already ruled that Fox owns the rights to Watchmen, all that’s left are the details. Paramount is already handling the Watchmen international release and day-and-date openings in major markets, so up for grabs is the release date in the U.S. Although Warner Bros. has not backed off the March 6 date, it may not be up to them. If the Judge plays in Fox’s favor again, Fox can determine when American audiences get a chance to see the Watchmen–or block the film’s release entirely.
Though this is unlikely, but completely possible, Jan. 20 can’t come soon enough.
Now onto the good news!
Despite the legal woes, a new Watchmen featurette is online for your enjoyment. All new footage of the Minutemen, the original 1940’s superhero group, is the highlight of Watchmen’s Video Journal #10.
Simply entitled “The Minutemen,” it features commentary from the production crew’s costume designer Michael Wilkinson and still photographer Clay Enos, as well as an in-depth from director Zack Snyder, producer Deborah Snyder, Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach), and the original graphic novel artist Dave Gibbons.
Take a brief travel back in time and see Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolis:
Until further noted, Watchmen is scheduled for a March 6, 2009 release.
Source: L.A. Times, Empire
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14 Comments
There seems to be no end to all this legal crap. I really hope Watchmen’s release date isn’t pushed back. Stupid Fox. They don’t care about the fans.
But thanks for putting the featurette up. It made me feel a little better…
I know it’s not an original comment or thought, but I’m going to voice my frustration anyway.
I’m so sick of Fox.
Good for you Psyko, too bad its not Fox’s fault. I have a question Carl(or anyone that might know), lets say Fox wins, and they decide to let the film come out, just at a different date, will the actors still do press for the film? Who are they under contract from?
Um, small question… is the international release set? Can Fox not affect that? I know Paramount is handling that, but surely, if Fox are laying claim to distribution rights, then that means right over all distribution and not just domestic ones?
I really only ask because if it is only Domestic, then I’m safe (though I still don’t like how WB handled all this).
No, Fox doesn’t have the final say in the release date, but they did make the original decision to screw us all. Besides, who says I’m just irritated with them over this? They’ve made a number of calls with their wallets and no obvious thought of the consumers.
With that, I’m out. I don’t really need to check back up on this just to read more snide and sarcastic remarks directed at me.
@Psyko
Uh, what? I just read the comments and I didn’t see any “snide and sarcastic” remarks directed at you. Just Oscar saying “it’s not Fox’s fault,” which I don’t agree with completely, BTW.
Vic
@Vic
According to Judge Feess it is not Fox’s fault but Warner Brother’s fault and as of now that’s the only opinion that matters,whether any one agrees with it or not,that’s the reality of the situation.Since Fox now owns the rights Warner Brother’s needed to settle with them.Now because their is no settlement a judge is going to decide when we get to see this movie and God only knows when that will be.
Fox may be a bunch of jackass’s but Warner Brother’s are a bunch of stupid jackass’s,for not dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s.
@chimp
Can’t really argue with you.
Vic
I am OVERJOYED that there is no legal dispute over who owns the right to distribute the new Star Trek film !
So regadless if you hate fox or not, I understand and believe them to b ein the right, because they do own the distribtion rights, but are also in the wrong due in part because the secind that WB announced the release date, was when they should have started this legal crap.
The WB is completly in the wrong, plain and simple. When they acquired the rights they should have done a better job on acquiring everything they needed, or at the very least come to an arrangement with Fox before they started filming. Also if I understand what I have heard, is that Fox had attempted to contact WB about the distribution, WB chose to ignore it. The Onus is on the WB, sadly.
I am almost getting to the point where I don’t care if I ever see this movie and I may just keep reading my graphic novel over and over and choose to ignore this film…This entire process is sickening and reeks of greed and avarice by all studios and executives involved…
Hollywood constantly $h*!$ on the fans and expect us to come running back everytime they settle their idiocy..Like I said I may have to take a pass on this and as I have said in many posts before I have been waiting for this movie for 20 years..To hell with WB and FOX..they both make me sick…
I was gonna put off the novel till after the film came out, but i couldnt wait, and damn did i make the right choice. The novel is epic, there wasnt one time when i knew or guessed what was gonna happen.
One of if not the best graphic novel/comic book series of all time Oscar
Foooooooooooooooooooooooooooox!!!!!!! (re: ST2 lol)
Hope this gets going soon. That was an awesome video.
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