According to Paramount’s complaint, the studio gained a copyright interest in Puzo’s famed novel, The Godfather, in 1969, which granted it “the sole and exclusive right: to make and cause to be made literary and dramatic and other versions and adaptations of every kind and character.”
The agreement paved the way for the legendary Francis Ford Coppola film in 1972, as well as two movie sequels.
Puzo died in 1999, and after his death, the estate run by his son expressed an interest in “sequel novels” written by other authors.
Paramount says that in 2002, it agreed, and the parties entered into a “Memorandum of Understanding” that purportedly allowed the Puzo estate to grant Random House the right to publish one — “but only one” — sequel novel.
As a result, The Godfather Returns was published in 2004. (TheHollywoodReporter/Gardner)
PoliticsofHollywood/ Varona
.VISIT HOLLYWOOD.
No related posts.
