I’m fairly certain I hate Fox more than any other corporation in existence. First they cancel a multitude of my (and many other people’s) favorite shows, including but not limited to Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared and Arrested Development, and now they’re pulling this bullsh*t with Watchmen, the movie I’m most looking forward to in 2009.

Fox somehow owns the legal rights to the Watchmen graphic novel, but since they’ve been sitting on them doing nothing for twenty years, Warner Bros. decided to go ahead and make the movie. Now since the only Fox “hit” movies are things like Marley and Me, they’re suing mad and trying to stop Watchmen from being released this March. Behold:

In a defiant statement issued Monday, Warners said it was prepared to go to trial or to appeal last week’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess, who stated that the studio had infringed on Fox’s copyright in making the adaptation of the Alan Moore superhero graphic novel.
“We respectfully but vigorously disagree with the court’s ruling and are exploring all of our appellate options,” the studio said. “We continue to believe that Fox’s claims have no merit and that we will ultimately prevail, whether at trial or in the Court of Appeals.”

Fox, meanwhile, is looking for an injunction against the March 6, 2009, release of the movie.

Monday’s events seem to be a speed bump to a costly settlement, with the hardline postures likely a strategic move for both sides more than anything else. Fox, which finally snapped a long boxoffice losing streak with “Marley & Me,” gains most with a settlement, not a blocked release; the studio is already taking a beating in the geek blogosphere for messing with a fan-favorite property. Warners, meanwhile, could be on the hook for millions for developing and then filming a movie in which the film’s producer, Larry Gordon, didn’t pay Fox turnaround fees after allegedly reacquiring rights to the property.

I don’t care if Warner Bros. has to pay them $100 million dollars or if I have to personally drive to Fox headquarters and burn them to the ground, Watchmen will be coming out in March. If not, what will happen is that since the movie will be finished, some kind soul will leak it onto the internet and EVERYone will lose. As much as this would satisfy me mildly, I want to see it on IMAX, and I guess you know, the director, cast and crew should be rewarded for their hard work.

Alright, I’m off to join a Facebook group in protest of this.