Ruling in “Watchmen” lawsuit may doom the project

The drawn out court battle over the film rights to “Watchmen” took a potentially dire turn late Wednesday, as Judge Gary Alan Feess ruled in favor of 20th Century Fox, declaring the studio held a copyright interest in the property that would include distribution of the upcoming “Watchmen” movie.

The ruling doesn’t fare well for Warner Bros., which is the producer of the Zack Snyder-directed pic set to hit theaters on March 6. That release date is possibly in jeopardy, although the judge pleaded with both sides to find common ground and negotiate rather than continue through a trial.

The movie rights to “Watchmen” — rated the bestselling graphic novel of all time — have been bogged down in a series of complicated dealings going as far back as the 1980’s when Fox acquired the property for producer Larry Gordon. The studio went on to abandon plans to make the film, and Gordon began the search for a new partner.

In its lawsuit, Fox has cited that Gordon never claimed his option to acquire their remaining interest in “Watchmen,” thus leaving distribution rights with the studio. Wednesday’s court decision would mean the judge is now in line with that position.

Employee injured in magic trick at David Copperfield’s Las Vegas show

During magician David Copperfield’s Las Vegas show Wednesday, a member of his staff suffered a broken arm when a trick went wrong.

In the illusion, Copperfield appears to pass through a big industrial fan. But this time something went horribly wrong and the man’s arm, who’s identity has yet to be released, got stuck in the fan, causing it to break. “This is a trick David has done over 3,000 times. this was a freak accident,” Chris Kenner, the show’s executive producer said in a statement.

Charlie Sheen and Ex-Wife Denise Richards’ daughters are unharmed after car accident in Malibu

Daughters of actors Charlie Sheen and ex-wife Denise Richards’ are unharmed and doing “fine” after being in a four-car collision on Friday afternoon.

“Charlie told me that the girls are fine,” said his rep, Stan Rosenfield. “He said it could have been much worse. They were in their car seats, and he is extremely grateful for the safety features from Mercedes.”

4-year-old Sam, and 3-year-old Lola, were being driven in an SUV driven by their nanny in Malibu when a Honda Civic cut them off, leading to the four-car accident, according to Sgt. Evans of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department.

Only the driver of the Honda was hurt in the crash.

Macaulay Culkin’s sister was killed in a fatal traffic accident

Macaulay Culkin, former child star’s sister Dakota was been killed after being struck by a car in Los Angeles, according to a police statement.

A statement released said the 29-year-old was taken to a hospital on Tuesday after she was hit when she walked in front of the car. She died 24 hours later from critical head injuries.

Police said the driver pulled over and attempted to help her.

Officers ruled that the motorist was not driving drunk and followed all laws.

A spokeswoman for Culkin said it was a “terrible tragic accident” and the family had no further comment.

Colorado Avalanche captain sidelined after snow blower accident

Captain Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche is expected to be placed on the IR for three months after breaking three fingers in a snow blower accident, according to the NHL team on Wednesday.

Sakic, already sidelined because of a herniated disc, had to undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair three broken fingers and tendon damage caused in the accident at his home.

“We heard last night that Joe had the accident at home,” said Avalanche head coach Tony Granato on the team’s website. “The first thing you worry about is if he’s alright.”

“He came out of it pretty good and should be able to heal, so that’s the positive thing about it.”

In his 20th NHL season, the 39-year-old forward has sustained numerous injuries that have kept him from playing. He has played in only 15 games, scoring just two goals and 10 assists.

Ex-NHL Allstar dies in snowmobile accident

NHL All Star Hubert “Pit” Martin has after as a result of a tragic snowmobile accident in Quebec at the age of 64.

Witnesses say that he fell under an icy lake as it crumbled under his snowmobile. He was dropped into sub-zero water and never came back up.

A veteran of 1,100+ professional games, he played with the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Canucks and Bruins. He scored 809 points during his playing time from the 1964 to 1979 seasons.

During his pro time, he was an NHL All-Star four times, and was part of one of the biggest trades ever made in pro-hockey, which saw Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield going to Boston.

While with Chicago, the team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals twice in 1971 and 1973, but were defeated by the Canadiens each time.

He also was awarded the Masterson Trophy for sportsmanship.

Rock group ‘Deftones’ bandmember hospitalized

The bassist, Chi Cheng, for Sacramento-bassist band Deftones has been hospitalized for injuries resulting from a serious car accident which occurred yesterday in Burbank, CA. Cheng is currently under doctors supervision in an ICU. His condition is serious but stable. Cheng’s mother request that all his fans say a prayer for his safe recovery.

No further details about Cheng’s condition were released. Members of his band and his family and friends ask for privacy at this time.

Former NFL Quarterback plans to plead guilty in Virginia

Next week, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick plans to enter a guilty plea on the state dogfighting charges he is accused of in Virginia, according to his attorneys.

The attorneys filed a motion with the Surry County Circuit Court on Oct. 17, “asking the Court to allow Mr. Vick, pursuant to the Virginia Rules, to enter a plea of guilty to the pending state charges via videoconference,” his attorney said in a statement to the Atlanta press on Tuesday. “Together with his motion, Mr. Vick filed a waiver in which he forgoes his right to personally appear at the plea hearing and agrees to be bound by the decision of the court.”

There has been a hearing scheduled for Oct. 30. The Virginia indictment charges Vick with one count of torturing and killing dogs and one count of promoting dogfighting. Each charge has a maximum of five-year prison term.

Vick is scheduled to be released from federal prison on July 20, 2009.

Desperate Housewives co-star recovering after a motorcycle accident on Tuesday

Desperate Housewives actor Gale Harold’s condition is improving Thursday after suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday, hospital officials said. Harold was under observation in the intensive care unit at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.

Harold, who plays Jackson, the boyfriend of Teri Hatcher’s character Susan Mayer on the ABC show, had swelling in his brain and a fractured shoulder but is expected to make a full recovery.

According to hospital officials, the actor will be transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center when space becomes available.

Rapper Kanye West Arrested at LAX

Rapper/producer Kanye West, 31, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport’s Terminal 4 on Thursday morning on felony vandalism charges along with his bodyguard, Don Crowley. The two were about to board the plane to Honolulu, Hawaii when, according to airport police, they became involved in an altercation with a photographer and a cameraman who were taking their photos.

Police arrested rapper-producer Kanye West on Thursday morning at Los Angeles International Airport on felony vandalism charges after an altercation with two paparazzi, airport police said. The cameras and equipment of the paparazzi were vandalized by West and Crowley during the altercation and both were taken to an L.A. police station and booked on charges of felony vandalism.

Kanye West is a 10-time Grammy winner who is also known for his controversial outbursts, notably the one he made when he went off-script at a 2005 Katrina telethon and said that President Bush didn’t care about Black people.

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