Entertainment · Film · 28 mins ago
New Regency Sues Michael Mann Over Rights to Heat Screenplay
New Regency is suing director Michael Mann over ownership of the screenplay for Heat, the 1995 crime film he wrote, produced and directed.
The company filed its case in a California federal court and wants a ruling that it retains the screenplay rights.
New Regency argues that Mann cannot use a copyright law provision that lets creators reclaim rights after a certain period.
Mann says he is reclaiming his original work under that law after 40 years, and says he will defend his rights in court.
The dispute matters because it concerns who controls the screenplay for the original film.
Mann says the case is separate from Heat 2, which is based on his 2022 novel and is described as both a prequel and a sequel.
The film is scheduled to begin shooting on January 19, with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer named as stars.
New Regency has sued Michael Mann in California federal court over ownership of the screenplay for Heat.
The company is asking a court to confirm that it retains the rights.
New Regency argues that Mann cannot use a copyright provision to reclaim ownership of the work.
Mann’s spokesperson says he is exercising authors’ statutory rights and will defend the action.
The case comes ahead of production of Heat 2, which the spokesperson said is unrelated to the lawsuit.
- Who
- New Regency is suing director Michael Mann.
- What
- New Regency seeks a court order confirming it retains the rights to the Heat screenplay.
- When
- The lawsuit was filed Friday; the article was published on November 14, 2026.
- Where
- California federal court.
- Why
- New Regency argues the screenplay is not subject to termination under the copyright provision Mann is seeking to use.
New Regency
Michael Mann
Screenplay rights
New Regency
Says the Heat screenplay is not subject to termination and seeks confirmation that it retains the rights.
Michael Mann
Says he is exercising authors’ statutory rights to reclaim his original work.
Lawsuit
New Regency
Seeks a court order clarifying its ownership of the screenplay.
Michael Mann
Says he will vigorously defend the action and is confident the courts will vindicate his rights under the Copyright Act.
Mann wrote on multiple screenplays that his spokesperson says evolved into Heat.
Heat was released, written, produced and directed by Mann.
Mann published the novel Heat 2, which serves as both a prequel and sequel to the original film.
New Regency filed its lawsuit in California federal court.
Mann’s spokesperson said production of Heat 2 would begin shooting.
- Plaintiff
- New Regency
- Defendant
- Michael Mann
- Court
- California federal court
- Screenplay
- Heat
- Original film
- Released in 1995
- Heat 2 shooting
- Set to begin January 19
What people are saying
The Screenplay is not subject to termination
We will vigorously defend this action and are confident that the courts will vindicate Michael Mann’s statutory rights under the Copyright Act.