Things may be developing for the positive in the drama that is the Watchmen lawsuit. According to IESB, it seems that the settlement process between the embattled studio and Fox is moving along nicely, possibly preventing the need for the delay of the March 6, 2009 release date originally desired by Fox.

When we last heard on the state of the lawsuit, both Warner and Fox had agreed to let LA Federal Judge Gary Allen Feess decide on Jan. 20 whether or not Fox would legally have the power to delay the release of the film. Upon which, Warrner defiantly released the statement:

"We will continue to pursue all of our legal options to defeat Fox's meritless claims and remain confident that we will ultimately prevail."

Well...today, in a complete reversal of position, Attorneys for Warner are apparently throwing out soundbites implying that "settlement talks have been productive." In doing so, Warner may have openly conceded to the fact that they were legally in the wrong (perhaps not morally, though.)  The fact that both parties remained in discussion after the agreement to leave the judgment in the hands of Judge Feess also speaks volumes about Fox's REAL motives for the threats of a delay to the film's release. It was not an end, but a means to an end...specifically a bigger piece of the pie. If all goes well, they will get that piece, the lawsuit will be dropped, and Watchmen will be released on the date that was originally set. (Which, at the end of the day, is all us fans give a crap about.)

It will be interesting to see if this story has legs, or if it was just wishful thinking.

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