The Walt Disney Company is facing potential financial setbacks stemming from a lawsuit filed by Rearden, a VFX company, concerning its involvement in the production of the last two Avengers movies. Rearden asserts that Marvel utilized its patented technology to animate key characters in these blockbuster films. However, recent developments indicate that a federal judge has dismissed a portion of the case against Marvel.
Rearden claims that DD3, a company Disney partnered with for extensive VFX work on various popular films, including Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), did not possess the rights to the technology it provided for these projects.
The technology at the center of the dispute, known as MOVA Contour Reality Capture, allegedly played a crucial role in animating iconic Marvel characters like The Incredible Hulk (portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the Avengers films). However, due to insufficient evidence supporting these allegations, a segment of the case against Marvel was dismissed by the court.
Rearden has been granted one final opportunity to amend its claim and furnish compelling evidence demonstrating how Marvel may have unlawfully utilized its technology. The judge emphasized the importance of Rearden revising its copyright infringement claim thoroughly and providing additional specifics to substantiate its accusations.
Should Rearden succeed in validating its claims, Disney could potentially face significant financial liabilities. In the event of a ruling against Disney, the company may be required to relinquish a considerable portion of its earnings from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, both of which amassed over $6 billion in global box office revenue. Moreover, Marvel’s reputation could suffer, especially given its recent box office disappointments, further complicating the studio’s prospects.
