Michael Mann Seeks to Reclaim Rights to Original ‘Heat’ Screenplay

By Gene Maddaus

Gene Maddaus

Senior Media Writer

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Michael Mann, who is set to begin shooting the long-awaited “Heat 2” in January, is in a legal dispute with New Regency as he seeks to reclaim the copyright to his screenplay for the original film.

New Regency produced “Heat,” released in 1995. The company filed a lawsuit on Friday arguing that it still owns the copyright to the original screenplay.

Earlier this year, Mann’s lawyers sent termination notices invoking the right to reclaim the copyright. New Regency argues that the screenplay was a “work made for hire,” and is thus ineligible for copyright termination.

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