Shocking Lawsuit Could Halt New Superman Movie Worldwide!

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Reportedly, the estate of Joe Shuster, one of Superman‘s creators, has decided to take legal action against Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and DC Comics, with the intention of preventing the global release of James Gunn’s Man of Steel film in multiple countries.

In the Southern District of New York, a lawsuit has been filed against me, claiming that I don’t have the right to commercially use Superman in Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The estate is demanding compensation, an injunction to prevent any further exploitation, and formal recognition of their ownership rights in these areas. They’ve also requested a jury trial for this matter.

The Legal Argument

The main argument at the center of this disagreement is whether Superman’s international copyright was transferred back to the Shuster family estate many years ago. Originally, Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, the character’s creators, sold Superman to DC Comics’ forerunner in 1938 for a total of $130 ($65 each). However, some countries’ copyright laws return rights to the creator’s estate 25 years after their passing. Since Shuster passed away in 1992, his copyright rights would have reverted in 2017 in most affected countries, with Canada following suit in 2021. The latest Superman movie, “Gunn’s Superman,” was released post-2017, as previous films like “Man of Steel” were out in 2013 and “Batman vs. Superman” in 2016.

Nevertheless, the legal claim asserts that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has persisted in creating and disseminating Superman-themed content, such as movies, TV programs, and merchandise, across these regions. The estate contends that this activity amounts to copyright infringement since WBD allegedly failed to secure its authorization for such productions.

Warner Bros.’ Response

The company firmly disputes the allegations and has pledged to combat this legal action. According to a representative, “We strongly oppose the basis of the lawsuit and will tenaciously protect our legal standing.

This ongoing legal dispute introduces an extra layer of complexity to WBD’s upcoming Superman release on July 11. Starring David Corenswet as Superman, this film is a crucial aspect of the DCU reboot, overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. If the courts rule in favor of the Shuster estate or if a settlement isn’t reached, it might affect the global release of the movie. Notably, Gunn chose to shoot Superman in Cleveland as a tribute to Siegel and Shuster, who are recognized as the creators of Superman.

A Long History of Legal Disputes

On more than one occasion, I’ve found myself siding with Siegel and Shuster, along with their descendants, in their ongoing dispute over Superman ownership with DC. Way back in 1947, they first took legal action, eventually reaching a settlement worth $94,000. But decades later, the Shuster family relinquished their U.S. termination rights for an annual payment of just $25,000 from DC – a decision that courts have consistently supported.

However, it’s important to note that foreign copyright laws can vary significantly, giving the estate the opportunity to assert that they still possess rights beyond the United States borders.

The lawsuit raises doubts about whether Shuster’s sister held the necessary legal power to enter into that agreement. This uncertainty opens up possibilities for future legal disputes.

What’s at Stake?

In the ongoing dispute, the Shuster estate is insisting on a portion of the earnings from past and forthcoming works linked to Superman in contested regions. Additionally, they are pushing for a court injunction to halt Warner Bros. Discovery from launching James Gunn’s Superman movie and other Superman-themed projects without their approval. The decision could significantly influence not only the upcoming film but also future DC productions that utilize the character.

Sources: Deadline, THR

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2025-02-01 01:01