The horror genre has seen some hefty legal battles and issues in recent years. They’ve essentially locked away the Friday the 13th franchise, allowed MGM to remake Child’s Play, confused everyone about Miramax, and now 2017’s IT adaptation is caught up in the entanglement. Apparently, producers involved in the 1990 miniseries adaptation are trying for a share of the profit.
The basis of the lawsuit is that the 1990 miniseries producers Frank Konigsberg and Larry Sanitsky were contractually entitled to be a part of any “sequel, series, remake, or spinoff” based on the 1990 miniseries. The duo filed the lawsuit through the Los Angeles Superior Court.
It’s an interesting argument as many fans have discussed the same concept. Some insist the 2017 film is merely another adaptation of Stephen King’s work – others say it’s a legitimate remake. That’s the stance the producers have taken, stating, “That the 2017 feature film is indeed a ‘remake’ is indisputable.”
As THR has reported, “The plaintiffs say they shepherded development of the 1990 miniseries, but that despite its success, a profit participation statement in 1995 showed the miniseries was in deficit with no profits to distribute. The two say they then waited 25 years for another profit statement when finally this past March, they got one showing they were entitled to $1 million in profits. The lawsuit questions whether that’s really everything, and Konigsberg and Sanitsky include claims of fraud over the accounting.”
Because of this, the duo state that they’re entitled to “a minimum share of 10 percent of net profits” regarding 2017’s IT: Chapter One and its upcoming sequel.
Now while we don’t know how the courts will rule, it’s going to be interesting seeing a final legal statement on whether 2017’s IT is indeed a remake or not. Personally, I would agree it is, considering Warner Bros. is only allowed to make the movie based on the rights they acquired to make the original miniseries anyways.
Source: THR
How do you feel about this? Do you think it was a remake or a new adaptation? Tell us your thoughts in the comments down below!