Even though Fox won the rights to the Watchmen movies from Warner Bros., there was still the question of whether or not Fox would be successful in stopping the movie from being released in March. Warner Bros. has been on pins and needles since Christmas, waiting for the decision on the injunction because they wanted a guaranteed release date before launching a multi-million dollar promotions plan including merchandise, new trailers, and sneak peeks.

Now, the movie industry giants have finally come to an agreement and fanboys across the globe are rejoicing: the movie will be released on March 6, as originally planned. The terms are these: Warner Bros. will release the film domestically, and Paramount will release it internationally. Fox will not be a distributor, but will get an 8.5 percent cut from the total gross. Fox also gets an upfront cash payment, and all of their development costs lawyer fees paid for by Warner Bros. Additionally, Fox will get a cut from any spinoffs or sequels that may follow the film – and they probably will.

This joint statement was released from Warner Bros. and Fox saying that there is no bad blood between them (yeah, right).

“Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox have resolved their dispute regarding the rights to the upcoming motion picture Watchmen in a confidential settlement. Warner Bros acknowledges that Fox acted in good faith in bringing its claims, which were asserted prior to the start of principal photography. Fox acknowledges that Warner Bros. acted in good faith in defending against those claims Warner Bros. and Fox, like all Watchmen fans, look forward with great anticipation to this film’s March 6 release in theatres.”

[from Deadline Hollywood]

Although of course the press release is far from the truth, it seems both sides did get what they wanted. In exchange for a huge sum of money (lawyer fees and 8.5 percent cut of the gross will add up), Fox agreed to drop the injuction against the film’s release. Still, I somehow doubt that Fox really would have allowed the film’s release to be postponed. Hindering the film in anyway would not make them any friends, especially among the comic’s fans. But in the end, no matter who has to pay those lawyer fees, if the audience is willing to pay $10 a ticket, everybody’s happy.