TERMINATOR franchise rights owner, Halcyon Co. have filed a lawsuit against MGM in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that MGM is getting in the way of the right to set up distribution deals for T4, reports VARIETY.
Halcyon principals Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson purchased the rights to the franchise rights in May, which included sequel rights as well as a screenplay for the fourth installment from T3 writers John Brancato and Michael Ferris.
MGM states that it gained an exclusive 30-day negotiation window on T4 via the Orion Pictures bankruptcy in the 1990s. T Asset, a Halcyon's subsidiary, which is the plaintiff in the case, claims MGM no longer has distribution rights on the film and is seeking a court declaration and injunctive relief.
T4 producer Moritz Borman and MGM coo Rick Sands began talks on a distribution deal, which would have given MGM worldwide distribution rights against $200 million. Additionally, MGM would have approval on overall budget, script, director and male lead. However, a firm deal was not reached after the 30 days. T Asset believes that it now has the right to go to other distributors, but MGM claims it has the right to stop T Asset and force them to continue their negotiations.
A MGM spokesman was quoted in Variety as saying, "MGM is completely comfortable with its rights position on the TERMINATOR franchise, and we will not allow anyone to interfere with our rights."
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