Weinstein Co. launches legal battle over 'The Crow'

According to papers obtained by EW, The Weinstein Co., filed a lawsuit against Relativity Media Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that the studio, and not Relativity, have the rights to remake the 1994 film, The Crow. Just last week, Relativity, headed by Ryan Kavanaugh, announced it was in talks with Bradley Cooper to star in the film. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is set to direct the remake. Weinstein lawyers, however, are attempting to reclaim distribution rights. According to the lawsuit, “Kavanaugh decided that Relativity would not perform that contract and will purport to sell TWC’s distribution rights to others here and overseas in willful breach of the contract.”

Relativity has responded to the lawsuit with the following statement:

“This is yet another typical litigation stunt from the Weinsteins, who have a long history of threatening lawsuits with the sole purpose of intimidation. If served, Relativity will seek immediate dismissal. While we expect these types of antics from the Weinsteins, we are shocked that a lawyer of Mr. Fields’ caliber would make such false, reckless and intentionally harmful statements to the press about Relativity and Mr. Kavanaugh. We intend to seek appropriate remedies for this misconduct. Clearly, this is a feeble attempt to create a press stir and a malicious effort to interfere with Relativity’s development of the project.”