As the highly anticipated reboot of the “Superman” movie gears up for its July theatrical debut, a significant legal challenge looms.
The estate of Joseph Shuster, who co-created the beloved superhero alongside writer Jerome Siegel, has filed a copyright lawsuit against Warner Bros.
Discovery in a New York City federal court.
Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the iconic hero, the film is generating plenty of buzz amid this legal controversy.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, submitted on a recent Friday, claims that Shuster and Siegel initially granted their rights to the character to Detective Comics, which eventually became part of Warner’s DC Comics division.
The estate argues that according to British law, Shuster’s rights reverted to his descendants in 2017—25 years after his death.
They also allege that Warner has neglected to pay royalties for Superman’s usage in several countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Impact on the Film’s Release
This legal action complicates the international rollout of the new film and reflects a longstanding battle over Superman’s rights, which has persisted for decades.
The Shuster estate is pursuing not only financial recompense but also an injunction to stop Warner from featuring Superman in any capacity without appropriate licensing agreements.
Warner’s Response
In response, a spokesperson for Warner has expressed a strong disagreement with the lawsuit’s claims and affirmed the company’s intention to defend its position vigorously.
At this point, the estate’s attorney has not released any remarks to the press.
Superman’s roots trace back to 1934 when Shuster and Siegel began developing comic strips that would eventually debut in 1938 with Detective Comics.
The creators and their estates have faced numerous legal struggles with Warner over rights associated with the character.
A notable decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2013 determined that the creators couldn’t reclaim their rights under U.S. law.
In this latest lawsuit, the estate cites British law, claiming that since 2017, the distribution of Superman-related media—ranging from films to TV shows and video games—constitutes copyright infringement in regions where this law is applicable.
The stakes are high as this case unfolds, intertwining the fabled legacy of Superman with the complexities of copyright law.
Source: Claimsjournal