Public Domain Nightmare or dream come true? In 12 years Batman and Superman will be Public domain
Public domain is the status of characters like Huckleberry Finn, Zorro, Cinderella, and Sherlock Holmes. Their creators passed away over 70 years. That means they do not belong to a family or company anymore. Once a character reaches this status, Every Filmmaker can make their own interpretation of them without any consequences. We have a Winnie the Pooh horror movie and a movie where Zorro is gay.
Batman almost became Public domain in 2013 and 2014.
Thanks to Disney holding on to Mickey Mouse, it got extended. Disney lobbied for a law extending the public domain from 50 to 70 years. Who would have thought a Rival company saved them from being available for everyone?
Batman and Superman will become Public Domain in a decade and two years. That means anyone can make their version of them. Disney will take advantage of that and put them in Marvel comics and MCU. Countries worldwide will also make their interpretations without fear of a lawsuit.
It would be best if you did not utilize any of their secondary or villainous characters from comic books created after 1939 and 1938. If you make Your version of Batman and Superman 10 years from now, You cannot use characters like Supergirl, Damian Wayne, Harley Quinn, Clayface, and General Zodd on your plot. Especially Harley and Damian, because their creators are still alive.
I am sure there will be great and terrible content that will exist once they become for everyone. Business Owners can make Fast food named Superman’s Burgers and Batman’s Pizza once they become free. Every Country can now make its own Batman and Superman movies.
Will it be bad for DC once their top 2 superheroes become Public domain? No, because Marvel is thriving with a Public Domain character like Thor. The other Thor movies not made by them are getting ignored.
If you make you make your own Batman movie 12 years from now, The villains from his Rogue gallery you can use will be limited. It is the same thing with Clark Kent.
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