When asked why Relativity's head thinks he owns the distribution right, Weinsteins' rep said, 'Beats me. Apparently he thinks it's just going to go away because he wants it to.'
- Apr 21, 2011
AceShowbiz - Earlier this month, things were looking good for "The Crow" remake when Bradley Cooper was touted to fill in the position of Brandon Lee's Eric Draven. However, the project is now facing a jeopardy after a distribution-rights war erupts between Bert Fields who is repping Harvey and Bob's The Weinstein Co and Ryan Kavanaugh from Relativity Media.
Fields claimed in a lawsuit that there exists a "written contract signed by everybody" which gives the distribution rights to Weinsteins. The two parties actually have been discussing this issue back and forth but this time Weinsteins includes legal. "Mr. Kavanaugh was not going to honor that contract. Apparently, he's going to sell these rights to others. He made a bunch of threats," Fields told Deadline.
He added, "Some people may submit to that kind of arrogant conduct, but we're not going to do it. If anybody tries to buy these distribution rights in 'The Crow', they are buying nothing but a lawsuit and they will get sued."
Relativity has responded to the lawsuit, saying in a statement, "This is yet another typical litigation stunt from the Weinsteins who have a long history of threatening law suits 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."
Production is due to begin in fall with "28 Weeks Later" director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo on board.
