(Image Source: Amazon)
Early last year, Amazon's release of the new "Road House" was overshadowed by off-screen disputes. Producer Joel Silver and director Doug Liman expressed strong dissatisfaction after Amazon allegedly violated their contract's theatrical release plan, forcing the film onto its streaming platform exclusively. Liman, particularly incensed, penned a lengthy op-ed for Deadline, making the private conflict public.
Beyond the disputes with Silver and Liman, Amazon also faces a copyright infringement lawsuit from David Lee Henry (pen name for R. Lance Hill), co-writer of the original "Road House," a legal battle that remains ongoing. Despite these controversies, the new "Road House" achieved significant viewership, prompting Amazon to already greenlight a sequel. However, Liman's frustration has not subsided; in fact, he's conceived an even bolder plan to counter Amazon.
(Image Source: Amazon)
Just days ago, Deadline, the same outlet that published Liman's op-ed, broke the news that Liman, who is not returning to direct the new "Road House" sequel, is now pivoting to develop a new sequel to the *original* "Road House." He has reportedly secured the consent and support of David Lee Henry himself.
Liman's planned project is "Road House: Dylan," a sequel script Henry originally penned for the first film. However, Henry must resolve his lawsuit with Amazon before production can begin. The core of their dispute centers on Henry's claim that he initially wrote "Road House" as a "spec script" which was eventually acquired by United Artists. United Artists was later bought by MGM, which Amazon subsequently acquired. Henry asserts that, according to his original contract with United Artists, the "Road House" copyright should have reverted to him on November 11, 2023. He alleges that Amazon deliberately disregarded this clause, continuing to use AI for post-production until the film was completed in late January 2024.
(Image Source: MGM)
Under Section 203 of U.S. copyright law, authors can reclaim rights to original works 35 years after publication, but this does not apply to "works made for hire." Henry maintains that "Road House" was an independent creation, for which he received compensation only after its sale. Amazon, however, argues that Henry sold the script through his loan-out company, Lady Amos Inc., classifying it as a work made for hire. Both parties remain at an impasse, with no definitive resolution yet.
via： Deadline