WRITER CLAIMS STAKE IN VAMPIRE FLICK; PRODUCERS STOLE CHARACTERS, WOLFMAN SAYS IN LAWSUIT.Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer While ``Blade'' star Wesley Snipes Snipes (Diminutive for Snipers) is a text-mode networked computer game that was created in 1983 by SuperSet software. Snipes is officially credited as being the original inspiration for Novell NetWare. hunts vampires on the big screen today, the Tarzana man who says he created the brooding character is taking the film's producers to court. Marvin Wolfman sued New Line Cinema, Time Warner and Marvel Comics in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. on Thursday, contending that he didn't consent to their use of the half-man, half-vampire anti-hero anti-hero, principal character of a modern literary or dramatic work who lacks the attributes of the traditional protagonist or hero. The anti-hero's lack of courage, honesty, or grace, his weaknesses and confusion, often reflect modern man's ambivalence toward character. Wolfman says he created the character in 1972 when he was a free-lance writer for Marvel. In the lawsuit, he claims he found out this year that Marvel never filed a copyright on his behalf. ``Blade'' stars Snipes in the title role, with Stephen Dorff Stephen Dorff (born July 29, 1973) is an American actor, best known for portraying Stuart Sutcliffe in Backbeat and for his roles in Blade and Cecil B. DeMented. Acting Born in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. playing vampire ringleader ring·lead·er n. A person who leads others, especially in illicit or informal activities. ringleader Noun a person who leads others in illegal or mischievous actions Noun 1. Deacon Frost Deacon Frost is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Universe. He appears in Tomb of Dracula and in the Blade Trilogy limited series. Fictional character biography Frost was allegedly a scientist looking for the key to immortality. , another character Wolfman claims he created. The lawsuit claims the defendants are trying to get a ``free ride'' with the character so they can ``reap substantial benefits in the motion picture, including all ancillary merchandising'' such as recordings or toys. Wolfman is seeking $35 million or more in damages, according to the lawsuit. A New Line spokesman declined to comment. Spokesmen for Marvel and Time Warner could not be reached. Wolfman was out of the country Thursday, but his attorney, Michael Diliberto, said the lawsuit was not seeking to stop distribution of the movie, which opens today. ``We're trying to enforce his rights as the owner of Blade and stop Marvel from exploiting writers,'' Diliberto said. He said New Line agreed to put Wolfman's name in the credits. Newspaper advertisements list Wolfman and Gene Colan as creators of the Deacon Frost and Blade characters. The lawsuit's exhibits included photos of the soundtrack to the movie and a line of ``Blade''-related action figures, which Wolfman also says he didn't authorize. |
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