Is the window closing for a justice league film that includes Superman?

[Wally West]

In 2013 DC could lose the rights to Superman to his original creators' heirs. What happens then worries me alittle. Although I hope the heirs will license the property to WB/DC, it scares me to think that they might go somewhere else. I don't know if Marvel will actually be a player in this, but if they could land Superman it would dramaticaly shift the balance of power in comics to thier company.

The heirs to my understanding only own the late 30's version of the character, and not key elements like lex luthor, or even kryptonite. So logic would dictate that keeping the character at DC is the only way to preserve so many key aspects of the mythology..

However the heirs have been fighting a legal battle vs. DC/WB for the last few years and I'm not sure how icey that relationship has become. I know they feel the original creators (thier family) were royally screwed by DC. It worries me they could take the superman name and basic character and try to start over elsewhere out of spite, or a matter of principle - if that were close to happening one would hope that financial sense would prevail, given that I believe the modern Superman is more bankable than starting over with the original.

Further more one has to wonder how profitable a character Superman will be to DC if they have to pay major cash to use the character, or if they would even retain film rights along with the right to continue to use the character in the comics.

I'm hoping that the heirs and wb will come to some agreement, but until I hear something reliable and positive, I'm alittle worried at this point that things could take a turn for the worse.

It's frustrating that WB has sat on it's main comic properties for so long, as I highly doubt we'll see a crossover film like Justice League before 2013. I just hope that when/if that ever happens Superman can still be in the line-up.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

1. Justice League as a concept sucks.

2. There are too many variables to predict anything at this point. If the Shusters give their permission but the Siegels don't then what. DC has a percentage of the character as well. Who would even want to go through the trouble of trying to rebuild Superman as a character from scratch without the mythology that people recognize and the backing of DC comics that owns it? Fox? Universal? Marvel?

No point in really worrying about this stuff. JL is a pipe dream anyway. Getting a good modern Superman trilogy is more important.

 

[Webhead2006]

YEa that is what i wonder too what does it mean for wb/dc if they cant make a deal with both families if shuster's heir gets the rights in 2013. It would be weird to see superman as we know wiped out of dcu and no more superman films/wf/jl stuff with supes. I would think leaving it at wb/dc and making them pay a big license fee would be better for the families if they really just want more money. wouldnt u want to leave all the current known details in tact then trying to reinvent the character with only the basic powers/and elements they would be able to have in place if they went elsewhere.

 

[darthlaney]

Hmmp, Hmmp

Sniger, sniger

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa

(the sounds coming from Marvel board room meeting)

 

[Tron Bonne]

I really doubt Warner is going to let Superman go anyway. With as much cash as they make off of the licensing of Supes alone I'm sure they'll pay whatever price is named in worst case scenario, or go all out on a bidding war for the character

 

[BATZARRO WWD]

I'd also doubt the heirs would just needlessly not license those rights to where they would make even more money. A fair as the ruling may be, I don't think it's JUST personal. They will be licensing those rights, and where else but DC, where most of the other Superman stuff is?

 

[GL's Light]

The rights issues are a lot more complicated than people think. The notion that full control of the Superman rights will be in the hands of the creators' families in 2013, allowing them to shop them around to whomever they please, is erroneous and simplistic. There are issues of trademark and issues of all the material introduced into the Superman comics after Action #1 to deal with. You can read about some of the complicating factors here.

 

[04nbod]

In 2013 DC loses the rights to Superman to his original creators' heirs.

That is not a certainty

 

[Wally West]

That is not a certainty

Wow, you're right. That makes me feel alot better about the situation.

I just re-read the Superhero hype story and had to follow the link to variety to find it was actually the heir's attorney who asserted this. Some seriously sloppy investigating on my part initially. I'm going to have to stop drinking and posting...

I'm still not convinced Superman is a lock to be in a justice league film(if one is ever made) at this point. I guess assuming WB/DC wins this all out, there's nothing to worry about. However if they have to license the character from the heirs, it would be cheaper to produce a JL film in theory without Superman. With the type of bugget a JL film would require already, it makes me wonder if some exec at WB wouldn't win out with an arguement that a team of heroes lead by Batman would be good enough to make the film profitable.

 

[Red Mask]

Wait for a Justice League movie to actually get made first. They might even throw in Captain Marvel if they wanted to.

 

[04nbod]

Wow, you're right. That makes me feel alot better about the situation.

I just re-read the Superhero hype story and had to follow the link to variety to find it was actually the heir's attorney who asserted this. Some seriously sloppy investigating on my part initially. I'm going to have to stop drinking and posting...

The lawyer said 'should the heirs be successful' in getting full copyright. That has not been decided. they have so far been awarded partial copyright

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea this will be a sticky situation if come 2013 shuster's heirs can gain the other half of the copyright and if wb/dc want to continue using the character to make a deal with the familes. I really hope things turn up well for all parties and superman stays were he is and the families just get a bigger peice of the pie. I am sure yearly superman copyright makes enough money for all parties invovled to be happy.