The late 1990s saw a surge in disaster movies, with two films in particular capturing the attention of audiences worldwide: Deep Impact and Armageddon. Both movies featured a catastrophic asteroid heading towards Earth, and a team of astronauts sent to divert or destroy it. While the films were box office hits, they also sparked a legal battle that became known as the Deep Impact Armageddon Lawsuit.
The Lawsuit
In 1998, a production company called Mutual Film Company released Deep Impact, directed by Mimi Leder and starring Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, and Morgan Freeman. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $349 million worldwide. However, a few months later, Touchstone Pictures released Armageddon, directed by Michael Bay and starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler. Armageddon was also a huge hit, earning over $553 million at the box office.
Shortly after Armageddon's release, Mutual Film Company filed a lawsuit against Touchstone Pictures and its parent company, Disney, claiming that Armageddon had infringed on the copyright of Deep Impact. The lawsuit alleged that Armageddon had copied numerous elements from Deep Impact, including the plot, characters, and even specific scenes.
The Controversy
The controversy surrounding the Deep Impact Armageddon Lawsuit centered on whether Armageddon had indeed copied Deep Impact, or whether the similarities were simply a case of two films with similar premises. Supporters of Mutual Film Company argued that Armageddon had lifted entire scenes from Deep Impact, such as the scene where the asteroid is first discovered, and the scene where the astronauts train to land on the asteroid. They also pointed out the similarities between the characters, such as the fact that both films had a young couple who get married before the mission.
However, defenders of Armageddon argued that the similarities were superficial, and that the two films had distinct differences in tone and execution. They also pointed out that Armageddon had been in development before Deep Impact was released, and that both films were simply cashing in on a popular disaster movie trend.
The Outcome
After several years of legal wrangling, the Deep Impact Armageddon Lawsuit was settled out of court in 2001. Both parties agreed to keep the settlement amount confidential, but it is rumored to have been in the millions of dollars. However, the outcome of the lawsuit did not determine whether Armageddon had indeed infringed on the copyright of Deep Impact. Instead, it was a compromise between two parties who wanted to avoid a lengthy and costly legal battle.
The Legacy
The Deep Impact Armageddon Lawsuit may have faded from public memory, but the legacy of the two films lives on. Both films are still popular among sci-fi and disaster movie fans, and have inspired countless imitators and parodies. The lawsuit also highlighted the importance of copyright law in the film industry, and the need for creators to protect their intellectual property.
Conclusion
The Deep Impact Armageddon Lawsuit was a fascinating chapter in the history of Hollywood, and a reminder of how two films with similar premises can spark a legal battle. While the outcome of the lawsuit was a compromise, it raised important questions about copyright and originality in the film industry. Whether you prefer Deep Impact or Armageddon, there's no denying that both films left a lasting impact on popular culture.