DC Comics wins Superman case and hints towards new movie

Variety is reporting that DC Comics and Warner Bros. has won a case in a suit filed by the heirs of Superman co-creator Joe Siegel. Here is an excert:

In a decision announced Wednesday, U.S. Judge District Court Judge Stephen G. Larson found that the license fees the studio paid to corporate sibling DC Comics didn’t represent “sweetheart” deals as they weren’t below fair market value. That means the heirs will be able seek profits only from DC Comics — which earned $13.6 million from Warner Bros. for the 2006 release of “Superman Returns” — rather than from Warner Bros. as well.

The judge, who conducted a 10-day bench trial, also noted that Warner Bros. chairman Alan Horn had testified that he hopes to make another “Superman” movie but added that the property wasn’t under development at the studio, that no script had been written and that the earliest another “Superman” pic could be released would be in 2012.

Toberoff also asserted in a written statement that the Siegel heirs and the heirs of co-creator Joe Shuster will own the entire Superman copyright in 2013.

“The Court pointedly ruled that if Warner Bros. does not start production on another Superman film by 2011, the Siegels will be able to sue to recover their damages,”

Mmm….my favorite part; “if Warner Bros. does not start production on another Superman film by 2011, the Siegels will be able to sue to recover their damages.” If Superman Returns proved anything it’s that people will pay to see the Man of Steel and I wonder if this will put a fire under the pants of the people over at Warner Bros. We’ve already heard rumors here and there about the Superman reboot but this could give us a defintite time table and maybe push the movie (which could be good and bad).

For the full article follow the link HERE