Judge Rules on Zach Galifianakis and Kristin Wiig Movie’s Future on Netflix

at
Share This Post

masterminds

 

Ryan Cavanaugh’s Relativity Media and Netflix have been feuding in bankruptcy court for months over the release of two features on the streaming platform before their theatrical release dates: “Masterminds” starring Zach Galifianakis and a horror film called “The Disappointments Room”.  You may have seen trailers for the movie — its release date has been continually put off due to legal issues including a bankruptcy.

The arguments are full of giant words, but the issue can be simplified. According to Hollywood Reporter, Relativity doesn’t want Netflix releasing their movie before its theatrical release date. Specifically, they feel that this move could jeopardize Relativity’s bankruptcy reorganization since Netflix’s move would most likely sabotage any box office turn out. Netflix feels that they paid Relativity enough money to do what they choose with the movies.  As ugly arguments typically do, a lot’s been revealed about Netflix’s darker side and their expectations for content and licensing relationships with distributors.

Netflix initially tried to avoid bankruptcy court altogether and opt for arbitration, but this isn’t even the warring companies’ only case. Netflix also struggled to escape a multi-hundred million dollar deal with Relativity disputing the contractual assumption they (Relativity) could deliver on completing movies. The same judge overseeing these current cases rejected Netflix then and the appeal was later dropped. More recently, after hearing both arguments on release dates, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Wiles wanted to know whether Netflix’s streaming plan was being done in “bad faith”.

Again, Judge Wiles denied Netflix’s argument this week. He sided with Relativity, stating that their contract was premised on Relativity benefiting from the films’ theatrical profits as well as downstream licensing agreements. Netflix could dispute the judgement, but the judge has refused Netflix’s bid for a stay. He agreed with Relativity that an early release date would destroy all commercial prospects and while Netflix hasn’t been pigeonholed into a specific stream-date, injunctions have been issued to ensure their cooperation.

It’s all good promotion for the movies, right? Well, as long as Netflix doesn’t mind looking like a dick.

Read more comedy news.

The following two tabs change content below.

Rachel Crowe

The most notable lies Rachel Crowe has ever told were that she has 10 children (no twins), she’s running a marathon retracing the path her ancestors took to evade the IRS and that she found childcare for 10 on a Saturday night. She’s also a stand-up comedian and dog walker living in Los Angeles. Follow Rachel on Twitter @Racheddar or on Instagram @thelma_and_disease. Or don’t, but at least appreciate those fresh hot puns.
Rachel Crowe

Rachel Crowe

The most notable lies Rachel Crowe has ever told were that she has 10 children (no twins), she’s running a marathon retracing the path her ancestors took to evade the IRS and that she found childcare for 10 on a Saturday night. She’s also a stand-up comedian and dog walker living in Los Angeles. Follow Rachel on Twitter @Racheddar or on Instagram @thelma_and_disease. Or don’t, but at least appreciate those fresh hot puns.