Last week we reported on the news that a new TERMINATOR animated feature (in 3D) is in the works (read all about it HERE), from Hanover House and Red Star Entertainment. But now it looks like it was in the works as Pacificor, the company that owns the rights to the TERMINATOR franchise, has issued a Cease and Desist Order again the company to stop production on the film immediately.
That said, Hanover’s CEO Eric Parkinson had this to say in a statement responding to the court action: The animation rights were excluded when Hemdale sold Terminator to Carolco and when I left Hemdale, part of my settlement was that I got those rights. However, the way the rest of the contractual rights are written, it would be dangerous for us to do this without Pacificor’s approval. They have certain intellectual rights. The best way to put it is, they can’t make an animated film without me, and we might not be able to make it without them. We are in discussions with WME, and hope we can deal with this expeditiously…. We’ve arranged a meeting, we’ll show them our money and if the rational brain prevails, they’ll take the deal. If not, I can’t do it without them…. If not, it was a good idea anyway.
Legal paperwork and lawyers who know what they’re doing might be a good idea just about now. I can’t say I blame Pacificor for getting all upset to hear a movie they own the rights to is being made without their permission, but the idea of a TERMINATOR 3000 animated feature in 3D sounds too cool for school, why not just charge ’em $20M and see what they can do. What do they have to lose?
To check out the full Cease and Desist Order, click HERE, and stick around as we follow the drama surrounding the fifth film in one of the greatest sci-fi/action franchises of all time. Let’s hope this f*cker gets made, yo!