'Dark Knight' Director, Studio Sued By City Of Batman

Access Hollywood - November 12, 2008 12:42 AM PST
Story photo: 'Dark Knight' Director, Studio Sued By City Of Batman--Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Batman has battled quite a few foes over the years, including The Joker, The Riddler, Two Face and The Penguin.

But now, the Caped Crusader could have a new enemy - the city of Batman.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Fan Candy: Geek-dom Gone Great

The mayor of the real city of Batman - an oil-producing city in southeast Turkey - is reportedly suing "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros., seeking royalties from this summer's box office blockbuster, according to Variety.

In his lawsuit, Huseyin Kalkan, the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party mayor of Batman, is accusing Nolan and the studio of using the city's name without permission.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Scenes From 'The Dark Knight'

"There is only one Batman in the world," Kalkan said. "The American producers used the name of our city without informing us."

According to Variety, Kalkan is compiling a series of charges against the director and Warner Bros., which owns the right to the Batman character.

Among the charges are a claim that the use of the Batman name is to blame for several unsolved murders and a high female suicide rate, based on the psychological impact that the film's success has had on the city's inhabitants, Variety reported.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Heath Ledger

Kalkan claims he has evidence, which will show the city of Batman was founded before the 1939 debut of Bob Kane's DC Comics superhero by the same name.

When contacted by Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. said they have not been served with any lawsuit yet by Kalkan.

"We are only aware of this claim via press reports and have not seen any actual legal action," the spokesperson said in a statement.

To date, "The Dark Knight," starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, has grossed over $994 million worldwide.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: 'The Dark Knight' New York Premiere
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Christopher Nolan Talks 'The Dark Knight'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Batman - Movies - Heath Ledger - Christian Bale - Lawsuits

comments

show comments

comments

comments 1-10 of 25  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • PollyC
    I'm Turkish. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard (or read)! And it's shameful for me to see that this stupid idiot really sued WB for the name... Who cares about the dates, the two name are spelled the same but have nothing to do with each other!!! The poor guy needed some attention... (BTW ProzaC, you're so right!)
    report abuseposted January 14, 2009 2:22 PM PST
  • Ziggy, Stina, freddy
    loooooooser
    report abuseposted December 8, 2008 7:15 PM PST
  • T C
    How long has batman been around and they are just saying something about it now! How many years later!
    report abuseposted November 21, 2008 1:25 PM PST
  • McDon
    In America, everybody sues everybody for everything. This is an American Export. The world is buying.
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 8:06 PM PST
  • ProzaC
    I'm ashamed of such idiots living in my country. Each and every nation has its own idiots, the problem is that we have a good deal of them.
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 1:46 PM PST
  • Progenic
    Im turkish and im fall laugh loudly when i read the new. its so ridiculous. XD
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 12:22 PM PST
  • Brian
    They waited SEVENTY YEARS to do this? I know things move slowly in the TWELTH CENTURY but COME ON!
    report abuseposted November 12, 2008 5:28 PM PST
  • EATHAN G
    The lawsuit obviously has no merit, and is an attempt to cash in on the franchise by a backwater, filthy little town in Turkey. What a waste of time and an abuse of the legal system. If this suit manages to work itself through the legal system, then all hope is lost for law in Western society!
    report abuseposted November 12, 2008 3:20 PM PST
  • silly turks
    Next thing they'll do is sue us for eating turkeys during Thanksgiving since we're going to be eating their country's name in vain come November 27th.
    report abuseposted November 12, 2008 2:41 AM PST
  • Well, this is odd. Batman first appearence (comic book): 1939 Batman, Turkey set up: 1955 In other news Captain America is being sued for use of the name America
    report abuseposted November 12, 2008 2:10 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 25  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

RELATED ARTICLES

RELATED PHOTOS

RELATED VIDEOS

Updates

Manage My Updates
Manage My Updates
More Updates »

omg!

MORE ENTERTAINMENT

ALSO ON YAHOO!

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions