The Terminator In a New Kind of Battle

MGM is being sued by the holders of the rights to “Terminator 4″ over distribution rights, according to Variety’s Janet Shprintz.

Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson, acquired rights in May, including sequel rights to “Terminator 2″ and “Terminator 3″ and a script by “T3″ writers John Brancato and Michael Ferris, with plans to launch a big-budget sequel.

The complaint was filed yesterday in the L.A. Superior Court. It states that MGM claimed it had acquired an exclusive 30-day negotiation window for “T4″ in the 1990s Orion Pictures bankruptcy. T Asset, the plaintiff and Halcyon’s subsidiary, did not concede MGM’s rights but began negotiations in May over distribution. T Asset claims MGM’s exclusive window is now over despite MGM’s claims in the media that it has the right to distribute “T4.” The suit seeks a declaration and injunctive relief.

The complaint further states that MGM claimed T Asset was required to continue negotiations and that it would prevent T Asset from negotiating with other studios. Also at issue is T Asset’s refusal to allow MGM to review the confidential screenplay. According to correspondence attached to the complaint, MGM claims that T Asset has taken an unfair “take it or leave it” position in the negotiations. MGM appears to take the position that “T4″ cannot have the same deal as “T3″ without Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role.

An MGM spokesman said, “MGM is completely comfortable with its rights position on the ‘Terminator’ franchise, and we will not allow anyone to interfere with our rights.”

The filed suit will have no impact on the upcoming new Fox Television Terminator-themed show “The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” and only effects the proposed Terminator 4 theatrical film.