Heat lawsuit: New Regency sues Michael Mann to stop him reclaiming the rights to his 1995 classic
By Fuzzy Mushroom · Published
New Regency has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court asking a judge to declare void three notices Michael Mann served this year to take back the copyright in his Heat screenplay. The company says Mann wrote Heat as a work made for hire, which would put it beyond the 40-year rule that lets authors reclaim their work. Mann's spokesperson says he will vigorously defend the case and that it has nothing to do with Heat 2, which starts shooting on 19 January.
Should the person who wrote Heat get it back after 40 years, or does it belong to the studio that paid for it?
How solid is this story?
Spore Score for the story: 90 (Rock solid). Status: Confirmed. On the record: New Regency complaint filed in federal court; statement from Michael Mann's spokesperson.
The films
- Heat (1995): Spore Score 85, The Pros 83 vs The Punters 96
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter: New Regency Sues Michael Mann to Retain Rights to 'Heat' (14 November 2026)
- Variety: Michael Mann Seeks to Reclaim Rights to Original 'Heat' Screenplay (14 November 2026)
- TheWrap: New Regency Sues Michael Mann to Reassert Ownership of 'Heat' (14 November 2026)
- Deadline: The 'Heat' Is On! Michael Mann & New Regency Clash In Ownership Battle Over Al Pacino & Robert De Niro 1995 Crime Classic (14 November 2026)
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