Watchmen has to be one of the most anticipated films of next year. An adaptation of one of the most well-received graphic novels ever created, and directed by 300‘s Zack Snyder, the impressive trailer set fanboy forums on fire last month, with most agreeing on its authentic feel. Yet, the curse of the project returns once again. Since the 80′s the film has befallen difficulty over difficulty, from Terry Gilliam giving up on it, to rumours of Aronofsky directing it, to Peter Greengrass starting filming only to see the film enter turnaround. And the problems continue. According to a report on Worst Previews, 20th Century Fox, who once owned the rights to the film, has won the case in Warner Brothers’ (who are currently producing the film) attempt to quell an ongoing lawsuit. While this normally wouldn’t be a great concern, and Fox would get a percentage of the profits or a giant wad of cash, the article suspects that Fox would rather use the case to halt Warner’s film from ever getting released.

This is bad news for the millions of fans of the graphic novel. Fox are certainly getting nasty by using such tactics- rather than getting some money they’d prefer to block a competing studio- sour grapes after Warner’s success with The Dark Knight, perhaps?

There is good news, however. Over at Ain’t It Cool News the word is that Warner will most certainly stick to the release day of March 6, and that Warner will just have to bite the bullet and pay off Fox.

More news as it arrives…