The Walt Disney Company is at risk of losing a significant portion of its earnings from the last two Avengers movies due to a lawsuit filed by Rearden, a VFX company. Rearden alleges that Marvel utilized its patented technology to animate major characters in the blockbuster films. However, according to reports, a federal judge has dismissed a portion of the case against Marvel.
Rearden has alleged that DD3, a company Disney collaborated with for a significant amount of VFX work on popular movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and the last two Avengers movies – Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) – did not own the technology it provided for these films.
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What’s the case about?
The technology in question, known as MOVA Contour Reality Capture, was purportedly utilized to animate beloved Marvel characters such as The Incredible Hulk (portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the Avengers movies). However, as evidence supporting this claim was lacking, a portion of the case against Marvel was dismissed on Friday.
The court has granted Rearden a final opportunity to revise its claim and provide necessary evidence to demonstrate how Marvel may have benefited from the alleged misappropriation of its technology. The judge emphasized that Rearden must amend its copyright infringement claim without reservation and provide additional details outlining the foundation of its assertions.
If Rearden successfully substantiates its claims, Disney could face substantial damages. If found liable, the company might have to forfeit a significant portion of its earnings from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which collectively grossed over $6 billion worldwide. Additionally, Marvel’s reputation could suffer, particularly amid its recent string of box office disappointments, exacerbating the studio’s challenges.
