A further update on yesterday’s story about the Fox vs. Warner court case involving Watchmen. Variety are this morning reporting that a Los Angeles Judge has set a much earlier than expected January 6th date to resolve the matter, deeming the case too complicated to resolve on an interim basis.
Sensibly, this is two months before the movie’s current March release date.
I’m no legal expert but I’ve always figured that the likely outcome will be a big part of the box office revenue going to Fox, as it would seem that they have a very solid case against Warners.
If they had taken up legal action before WB had begun shooting their epic big budget tentpole, they may have had a chance in blocking (certainly delaying filming) Watchmen but as it now stands, I can’t see any judge realistically pulling such a high profile movie that close to it’s release date (i.e. theatrical trailers and posters will be up by then).
I very much doubt the confident and brass WB (who initially shrugged off Fox’s claim like a fly) will change their expected heavy marketing for the film one bit and that would be wise, putting a lot of pressure on a Judge who would break an awful lot of fanboy’s hearts.
