Production on the new Predator movie (Predator 5 / Skulls) might be facing a serious problem! The Thomas Brothers are filing a preliminary injunction with the courts which could prevent any upcoming works based on the Predator character from moving forward until the trial of Disney vs. Thomas Brothers concludes. An official date for the hearing has been announced for next month.
The Court Hearing is currently scheduled for May 27th, 2021 where Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler will hear both arguments from the Thomas Brothers as well as Disney's arguments before deciding if a preliminary injunction should go be administered. The Motion Hearing details are as follows:
3:21-cv-02720-LB – Thomas et al v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation et al
CLERKS NOTICE SETTING ZOOM HEARING. Motion Hearing [12] MOTION for Preliminary Injunction set for 5/27/2021 at 9:30 AM in San Francisco – Videoconference Only before Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar.Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at cand. uscourts .gov/lb
General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited.
The outcome of this hearing has profound effects on a number of projects not just limited to the upcoming movie Disney was set to begin filming this summer. Fans eager for fresh content for Predator: Hunting Grounds will also potentially be affected. If the courts rule in favor of the Thomas brothers, then they and Disney could face a number of years of copyright volleyball in the courts before a fresh deal is reached where work on these projects are allowed to continue.
As we approach the Hearing date, we'll keep you updated of any additional news. We're hoping a resolution can be found between both parties, but from the sounds of it neither side are backing down. We can only hope the Predator doesn't enter hiatus hell until a new deal is formed.
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