News

Ellis George LLP filed a complaint in Los Angeles on behalf of William Friedkin against Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios regarding the motion picture Sorcerer.  Mr. Friedkin is an Academy Award winning director, producer and screenwriter.  He was the director and producer of the 1977 motion picture Sorcerer, and is also a profit participant in that film.  Mr. Friedkin has received numerous requests from various organizations for their assistance in obtaining a print of Sorcerer, for the purpose of holding screenings of the film.  At one time, Paramount and/or Universal had certain rights to exploit the film in the United States.  Both studios, however, have recently stated they no longer have the right to exploit the film in the United States.  Both studios have also asserted, however, that Mr. Friedkin does not have the right to exploit Sorcerer.  The complaint therefore asks the court for a declaration as to who currently has the right to exploit Sorcerer.  The complaint also seeks an accounting.  The lawsuit has been reported in, among other places, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.com.