Michael Mann fights for Heat screenplay rights against New Regency
Director Michael Mann is suing production company New Regency to reclaim ownership of his 1995 film Heat under US copyright law.
Legal dispute over original script
Michael Mann entered an agreement with New Regency regarding the screenplay for the 1995 movie Heat. The filmmaker now seeks to regain control of his work after forty years according to US copyright law. New Regency disputes this claim in a filing made through Mann's attorneys earlier this year. The company alleged that Mann was hired to write the screenplay rather than being the original owner.
Attorneys defend statutory rights
Mann's lawyers issued a lengthy statement saying they will vigorously defend this action in court. They are confident courts will vindicate Mann's statutory rights under the Copyright Act. The filing concerns original writing Mann did on multiple screenplays during the 1980s which evolved into the iconic film. Mann states he wrote produced and directed the movie that became famous after forty years.
Sequel production remains on track
Variety reports that shooting for Heat 2 is set to take place in January despite the legal battle. The long anticipated project has locked in its key roles for production while the dispute continues. New Regency claims Mann had been the original owner of the rights initially. The legal outcome will determine who holds the rights to the original Heat.
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