Lawsuit threat to Superman

 A new lawsuit threatens to disrupt the release of director James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman film this summer. Gunn, best known for directing Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, now co-leads DC Studios at Warner Bros. Alongside producer Peter Safran, he is spearheading a reboot of the DC Universe, with Superman as its centrepiece. However, the estate of one of the superhero’s co-creators has thrown a spanner in the works.

According to Deadline, Joseph Shuster’s estate has filed a lawsuit in New York, claiming Warner Bros. doesn’t have the rights to release Superman in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Australia. Mark Warren Peary, executor of the estate, is seeking damages and an injunction against alleged infringement, arguing that copyright in these nations should have reverted to the estate.

The lawsuit alleges that, under copyright laws in Commonwealth countries, Shuster’s rights should have been reinstated 25 years after his death in 1992. Warner Bros. denies the claims, stating, “We fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit and will vigorously defend our rights.”

Legal battles over Superman have persisted for decades. In 2009, Siegel’s estate was awarded 50% of the character’s rights. With Superman being crucial to the new DC Universe, Warner Bros. may settle out of court to prevent delays. If unresolved, the legal battle could derail the release, whch is scheduled for 11 July..