Ruling jeopardizes ‘Watchmen’ release
Ruling jeopardizes ‘Watchmen’ release
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has ruled that 20th Century Fox owns a copyright interest in “Watchmen,” potentially jeopardizing the superhero movie’s March release.
U.S. District Judge Gary Feess of Los Angeles disclosed the decision in a written order Wednesday, The New York Times and Variety reported.
“Watchmen,” based on the popular graphic novel of the same name, was shot by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Fox sued to prevent its release and Feess had set a Jan. 20 trial, but reversed course in writing that Fox at least owns the right to distribute the film.
Fox claims it never fully relinquished its rights to the story from a deal made in the late 1980s. Warner spokesman Scott Rowe declined to comment on the latest ruling.
Today’s birthdays
ABC News correspondent Cokie Roberts is 65. Rock musician Mick Jones (Foreigner) is 64. Singer Tracy Nelson is 64. Actor Gerard Depardieu is 60. Actress Maryam D’Abo is 48. Country musician Jeff Bryant is 46. Actor Ian Gomez is 44. Actress Theresa Randle is 44. Actress Eva LaRue is 42. Musician Matt Slocum is 36. Actor Wilson Cruz is 35. Singer Olu is 35. Rock singer Hayley Williams (Paramore) is 20.