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$900 Million Lawsuit Conjured Up Against Warner Bros.

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Still reeling from the success of The Conjuring 2, it would seem as if nothing can stop the Warner Bros. Horror Train. Until today, that is.

Gerald Brittle, who told Ed and Lorraine Warren’s tale in his 1980 book The Demonologistis seeking nearly one billion dollars in damages against Warner Bros. His case? The Conjuring 2 and all related tales stole from his book. This includes both Annabelle and the original The Conjuring film. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break this story earlier today.

One may think this is a ridiculous claim – after all, how could you steal from a true story? – but that’s exactly where things start to get tricky. First, you have the statement that in 1978, Ed and Lorraine Warren agreed on a non-competition provision. In short, this means that they signed over their stories to him. He has exclusive rights to any story involving their paranormal work.

 

The production team behind the films got permission from Lorraine Warren to do the film – but that doesn’t mean squat, according to their agreement, which still holds today.  And it gets even more sticky. Remember that whole “true story” thing? Brittle no longer believes the Warrens.

If The Conjuring was based on a true story, the Warner Bros. fate would be less cut and dry. But Brittle does not claim that The Demonologist is a true story. Instead, he believes that the Warrens made up the whole tale. If that’s the case, he believes his book to be a work of fiction, which he, not the Warrens, owns the rights to.

Brittle also has confirmation that his book was read before the first film was written, as proven in a tweet by James Wan, which took only a quick Google search to reveal. This was Tweeted in 2011. The Conjuring entered pre-production the same year. This confirms that the director had prior knowledge of The Demonologist.

Yet, despite Brittle’s new claims that the book is now a work of fiction, the website for his book states the exact opposite. From the site:

The Demonologist is a nonfiction title that was first published in 1980 and has remained in print ever since.

It’s worth noting that at the bottom of the page on the site for the book, the copyright is up to date. Meaning that the book is still being marketed as a work of nonfiction.

Neither James Wan nor Warner Bros. has issued a comment yet.

I’m just here to report the news, not to tell you what to think. But if you want my opinion, something seems a little funny about this lawsuit. Brittle’s claim seems a bit excessive, and it doesn’t seem right to still have your name on something that is your intellectual property and to market it as a true story but to then to claim that you no longer believe in the factuality of it. However, I’m not a judge. I don’t know how this will play out in the legal system. I have a feeling that we will be hearing more about this story soon, so keep an eye out.

And for what it’s worth, I love The Conjuring, and frankly, I would still enjoy it even if it was all rooted in fiction.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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