The Weinstein Company is suing Relativity Media over global release rights to Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s upcoming remake of the cult classic film – The Crow, which could potentially star Bradley Cooper in the title role.
TWC is suing over what they feel is a breach in a 2009 distribution agreement in which The Weinstein’s would have rights to distribute The Crow on a global scale. Harvey Weinstein claims that Ryan Kavanaugh (of Relativity Media) has been shopping the upcoming reboot to other studios, which would be a contract violation.
“We have a written contract and we’re gonna enforce it. We’re not going to let these people sell distribution rights. Kavanaugh decided that Relativity would not perform that contract and will purport to sell TWC’s distribution rights to others here and overseas in willful breach of the contract,” said Weinstein lawyer Bert Fields.
Relativity Media has released an official statement in response to the allegations that they have been violating their contract with the Weinstein Company, saying:
“This is yet another typical litigation stunt from the Weinsteins, who have a long history of threatening lawsuits with the sole purpose of intimidation. If served, Relativity will seek immediate dismissal. While we expect these types of antics from the Weinsteins, we are shocked that a lawyer of Mr. Fields’ caliber would make such false, reckless and intentionally harmful statements to the press about Relativity and Mr. Kavanaugh. We intend to seek appropriate remedies for this misconduct. Clearly, this is a feeble attempt to create a press stir and a malicious effort to interfere with Relativity’s development of the project.”
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) is set to direct a re-invention of The Crow, the 1994 smash hit film based on the comic book series and comic strip by James O’Barr. Relativity Media and Edward R. Pressman will be teaming with Spain-based Apaches Entertainment on the production which is targeted to start in Fall 2011. Fresnadillo will collaboratively develop the script once a writer is attached to adapt the screenplay.
The Crow adaptation will be a reboot of the iconic cult character Eric Draven, who’s resurrected as The Crow to avenge his wife’s murder so he can reunite with her in the hereafter, as first envisioned by graphic novelist James O’Barr.
No release date has been set for The Crow, but it is also being reported that Relativity is fast tracking the project to hopefully have it hit theaters in the summer of 2012.
