Last spring I reported that actor Warren Beatty had filed a lawsuit against Tribune Co and that Tribune Media Syndicate had filed an adversary complaint in a dispute over the television and movie rights to the Dick Tracy character. Beatty, who bought the rights in the 1980’s contends that he had started a television special last year that allowed for the rights to remain with him, but TMS argues that the time period for use of the characters had lapsed. A federal bankruptcy judge has now ruled that despite the Tribune Co. bankruptcy status, the original court case can move forward. According to a Reuter’s article sources close to the dispute said both sides are “discussing ways to resolve the matter by moving forward in California.”
Warren Beatty given green light to sue TMS
2 thoughts on “Warren Beatty given green light to sue TMS”
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This story seems so weird to me. Why does Warren Beatty still have the film and TV rights to DICK TRACY twenty years after last film!? What kinda crazy-long contract did TMS sign? And if he wants to hold onto them so much, why didn’t he just produce an ultra-low-budget DVD-premiere DICK TRACY prequel movie or something so he could hold onto the rights? The first film made $163 million in 1990 despite poor reviews so there’s clearly some market for it, and a DVD film wouldn’t rely on the cooperation of a TV network.
I hope they resolve the whole thing and produce something of quality. Dick Tracy was one of my favorite comic strips when I was growing up. Gould went off on a weird tangent witht he “moon maid” stuff, but it was cutting edge crimefighting for its time. Sort of CSI: Chicago without the morgue stuff. Very Cool.