New Regency Sues Michael Mann to Retain Rights to 'Heat'
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- New Regency has filed a lawsuit against Michael Mann in California federal court to reaffirm its ownership of the screenplay for the 1995 film Heat, challenging Mann's attempt to reclaim copyright under a termination provision of copyright law.
- The studio argues that the screenplay was created as a work made for hire, making it ineligible for copyright termination, while Mann contends he is the original author seeking to reclaim rights after 40 years.
- Mann's legal move follows his preparation to film Heat 2, a sequel and prequel based on his 2022 novel, starring original cast members including Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
- New Regency claims that Mann’s termination notices threaten its ability to develop and license projects related to Heat and affect agreements with Amazon concerning Heat 2.
- Mann’s spokesperson expressed confidence that the courts will uphold his statutory rights as the original creator of the screenplay and related materials from the 1980s.
