Weinstein Co. Buyer Lantern Entertainment Gives Up Rights to ‘Hotel Mumbai’
After haggling with The Weinstein Co. in bankruptcy court over distribution rights, the producers of “Hotel Mumbai” are finally free to take the fact-based thriller to another studio.
According to court documents filed on Friday, Lantern Entertainment, which bought TWC out of bankruptcy for $310 million in May, has agreed to relinquish distribution rights to the film, acquired in the sale.
The film was listed as a “top title” in Lantern’s sale agreement.
Also Read: Producers of Armie Hammer's 'Hotel Mumbai' Say It Nixed Deal With Weinstein Co Pre-Bankruptcy
Starring Armie Hammer and Dev Patel, “Hotel Mumbai” is based on the 2009 documentary “Surviving Mumbai,” about the 2008 terrorist attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai that lasted four days, killing 164 people and wounding more than 300.
Back in April, producers for the film filed a complaint with Delaware bankruptcy court arguing that they had terminated the distribution deal with The Weinstein Co. in February, weeks before it filed for bankruptcy.
“The picture is a highly anticipated film and is expected to be widely successful internationally,” the producers wrote in their initial April filing. “‘Hotel Mumbai’s biggest concern is preserving the picture’s value and honoring its subject matter as best as possible, especially in light of the recently-revealed devastating and horrific allegations regarding Harvey Weinstein’s long history of sexual abuse and rape, among other things, and the impact Mr. Weinstein’s conduct has had on the previously stellar reputation of TWC and on TWC’s ability to operate its business,” it went on.
Also Read: Lin Manuel-Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes Wrestle 'In The Heights' Movie Rights Back From TWC
“Upon learning of these issues and in order to preserve the value of the picture, ‘Hotel Mumbai’ began its attempt to recover rights to the picture under the terms of the license agreement,” the producers’ objection read, noting that the completed film was scheduled to be delivered to the studio on April 30.
In their agreement, however, producers of the film do have to pay Lantern an undisclosed amount of money to get the rights back. But once the loose ends are all tied up and Lantern closes the acquisition of TWC, the squabble over “Hotel Mumbai” will be done.
Lantern has to wrap up lingering disputes such as this one before the deal can close, but the company has said that it hopes to close by the end of the month.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this story.
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