Batman is suing Nolan and production company Warner Bros. for royalties from the 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight, the mega-hit movie that re-chronicled Batman's first encounter with the Joker. But why would Batman sue over his most successful movie ever? And do fictional characters even have legal standing in U.S. courts?
The twist in the case is that Batman isn't the Caped Crusader at all, but rather a city in Turkey that goes by the same name, and Huseyin Kalkan, the mayor of Batman, claims Nolan and Warner used the name without permission. "There is only one Batman in the world," Kalkan said. "The American producers used the name of our city without informing us."
To bolster his case, and what will presumably be a demand for a hefty piece of the action, Kalkan is blaming the movie for several unsolved murders in the city, as well as a high suicide rate among the city's females. He also claims that former citizens of Batman have had trouble registering businesses abroad, and is preparing evidence to prove that the city of Batman predates the creation of the World's Greatest Detective, who first appeared in Detective Comics in 1939. Why the city waited until now to complain is unknown, although as Variety points out, The Dark Knight's $1 billion box office take may have something to do with it.
Obviously, Kalkan's efforts aren't expected to go anywhere, but nonetheless the case is reportedly being closely monitored by civic leaders in the former Soviet republic of Spidermanistan.
Yeah, when their logo indicates a date of 1955? 1955>1939 -> MATH FAIL. Here I was thinking the US had a monopoly on frivolous lawsuits, but this is one of the most frivolous I've ever seen.
Gul Torgo: Wait til the city of San Diego catches wind of this Carmen Sandiego person.
They'd need to find her first. I mean, she's jumping all around the country, the world, the solar system, even time itself. Curse you, I want my $18 back!
Seriously, these guys didn't know that a Batman Comic existed, and considering this is the second in the series, I'm gonna say they are just trying to take some of the Dark Knights profits in an easy cash case... even though any sane jury/judge wouldn't give this case the time of day, and it would be thrown out of court.
To bolster his case, and what will presumably be a demand for a hefty piece of the action, Kalkan is blaming the movie for several unsolved murders in the city, as well as a high suicide rate among the city's females.
...Wow. I mean, just... Wow. This is the true height of "compensation culture".
Not quite. I reckon the overweight women we sued McDonalds for making them overweight still have that award. Although this is blatantly a money grabbing attempt.
Not quite. I reckon the overweight women we sued McDonalds for making them overweight still have that award. Although this is blatantly a money grabbing attempt.
My vote goes to the surfer who sued another surfer for stealing his wave. Lawsuits can fail so well sometimes.
In fairness, they should be suing Adam West. Surely he's been responsible for more defamation of the name Batman than Christopher Nolan could dream of.
GyroCaptain: In fairness, they should be suing Adam West. Surely he's been responsible for more defamation of the name Batman than Christopher Nolan could dream of.
GyroCaptain: In fairness, they should be suing Adam West. Surely he's been responsible for more defamation of the name Batman than Christopher Nolan could dream of.
You mean like when he plays Catman on the Fairly Odd Parents?
The_root_of_all_evil: Dear god, I would make some sort of witty statement at this juncture, but I'm crying tears of laughter.
I mean, anyone can see this is the work of the Riddler.
Nope you're wrong there, it's actually the new Mayor of 'Batman' who is orchestrating this whole scheme and that man is... Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot! Or better known as, The Penguin! It's one of his ridiculous attempts at thwarting the real Batman whilst making money in the process.
Not quite. I reckon the overweight women we sued McDonalds for making them overweight still have that award. Although this is blatantly a money grabbing attempt.
My vote goes to the surfer who sued another surfer for stealing his wave. Lawsuits can fail so well sometimes.
Please deliver proof of this for many lulz.
Much obliged.
needausername: Seriously, these guys didn't know that a Batman Comic existed, and considering this is the second in the series,
The_root_of_all_evil: Dear god, I would make some sort of witty statement at this juncture, but I'm crying tears of laughter.
I mean, anyone can see this is the work of the Riddler.
Nope you're wrong there, it's actually the new Mayor of 'Batman' who is orchestrating this whole scheme and that man is... Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot! Or better known as, The Penguin! It's one of his ridiculous attempts at thwarting the real Batman whilst making money in the process.
I dedicate the bubbly laugh inspired by this particular exchange to the Escapist Community. I love you guys.
The_root_of_all_evil: Dear god, I would make some sort of witty statement at this juncture, but I'm crying tears of laughter.
I mean, anyone can see this is the work of the Riddler.
Nope you're wrong there, it's actually the new Mayor of 'Batman' who is orchestrating this whole scheme and that man is... Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot! Or better known as, The Penguin! It's one of his ridiculous attempts at thwarting the real Batman whilst making money in the process.
I dedicate the bubbly laugh inspired by this particular exchange to the Escapist Community. I love you guys.
Or do you? It might be the work of the Riddler's mind control! Don't worry I'm sure Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne will show up and all will be well. Of course the dastardly villains will return just to be stopped again. If only Batman migrated to Marvel, then he would just shoot them all, in the face.
Dark Knight Director Sued By Batman
Pow! Sock! Oooof! The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan is being sued... by Batman.
Batman is suing Nolan and production company Warner Bros. for royalties from the 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight, the mega-hit movie that re-chronicled Batman's first encounter with the Joker. But why would Batman sue over his most successful movie ever? And do fictional characters even have legal standing in U.S. courts?
The twist in the case is that Batman isn't the Caped Crusader at all, but rather a city in Turkey that goes by the same name, and Huseyin Kalkan, the mayor of Batman, claims Nolan and Warner used the name without permission. "There is only one Batman in the world," Kalkan said. "The American producers used the name of our city without informing us."
To bolster his case, and what will presumably be a demand for a hefty piece of the action, Kalkan is blaming the movie for several unsolved murders in the city, as well as a high suicide rate among the city's females. He also claims that former citizens of Batman have had trouble registering businesses abroad, and is preparing evidence to prove that the city of Batman predates the creation of the World's Greatest Detective, who first appeared in Detective Comics in 1939. Why the city waited until now to complain is unknown, although as Variety points out, The Dark Knight's $1 billion box office take may have something to do with it.
Obviously, Kalkan's efforts aren't expected to go anywhere, but nonetheless the case is reportedly being closely monitored by civic leaders in the former Soviet republic of Spidermanistan.
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