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Sony has acquired the rights to Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan

dee123dee123 Posts: 46,304
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edited 01/10/22 - 10:25 in Movies #1
Sony has acquired the film rights to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan, apparently with an eye toward making yet another live-action adaptation of the famed literary character. It’s been six years since the last time Hollywood made a Tarzan movie: the 2016 Alexander Skarsgård vehicle The Legend Of Tarzan. One of the most adapted fictional characters of all time; more than 20 different actors have portrayed him in live action over the last century, with Johnny Weissmüller, who played the character from 1932's Tarzan The Ape Man through 1948's Tarzan And The Mermaids, the most prolific.

Sony’s intent is apparently to do a “total reinvention” of the character.

https://www.avclub.com/sony-throws-some-money-at-another-damn-tarzan-movie-1849604411

I thought Tarzan would be in the public domain by now but it's apparently like Sherlock Holmes and some of the later stories still aren't. Who really wants a new Tarzan film? I don't.

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    Mark AMark A Posts: 7,695
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    I don't judge a film until I've seen it. Perhaps a total reinvention will produce something worth watching, who knows?
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    scotsbunnyscotsbunny Posts: 647
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    edited 01/10/22 - 22:30 #3
    dee123 wrote: »
    I thought Tarzan would be in the public domain by now but it's apparently like Sherlock Holmes and some of the later stories still aren't..
    The copyright for the books is in the public domain, however, the Tarzan trademark is still owned by the estate. Same with Sherlock Holmes.

    The books might fall into the public domain from a copyright perspective, but anyone trying to adapt them, or use characters without permission will face challenges of trademark infringement. Any estate with anything about them will never let the trademark go and will continue to register it every 10 years until the end of days.

    It's like why that upcoming "Winnie the Pooh" thing is a horror. The character has entered the public domain, however, Disney still owns the trademark when it comes to motion pictures 'for children'.
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    dee123dee123 Posts: 46,304
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    edited 02/10/22 - 00:57 #4
    Mark A wrote: »
    I don't judge a film until I've seen it. Perhaps a total reinvention will produce something worth watching, who knows?

    Woke Tarzan who admonishes Jane for her carbon footprint and destroying the rainforest. I can't wait.
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    CLL DodgeCLL Dodge Posts: 115,991
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    #5
    The Burroughs books had way more of a fantasy slant to them than the films, which were mainly adventure yarns.

    Hope Sony bring more of Burroughs into the franchise even if they've only bought the rtghts to the character.
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