The new monster movie from director Nacho Vigalondo faces a copyright infringement lawsuit from Japanese company Toho for being too similar to 'Godzilla'.
- May 24, 2015
AceShowbiz - "Colossal" is facing a lawsuit from Toho, a company which owns the infamous on-screen monster Godzilla. The upcoming movie that will be headlined by Anne Hathaway is being sued by the Japanese company for being too similar to their classic creation.
"Colossal" directed and written by Nacho Vigalondo ("Timecrimes") is being shopped around at Cannes. It follows a woman who, when news reports surface that a giant lizard is destroying the city of Tokyo, gradually comes to realize that she is strangely connected to these far-off events via the power of her mind.
"The Director's Notes also make clear that Defendants have not only taken the Godzilla Character as their own, but that they also intend to use the Godzilla Character in precisely the same way that Toho used the character in its initial film - attacking Tokyo," the lawsuit reads.
"Toho is informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that Defendants have knowingly used the Godzilla Character to attract interest and attention in their Colossal project so that it would stand out in a crowded field of competitors on the film sales circuit," the complaint continues.