# New Regency Sues Michael Mann Over Heat Rights

> New Regency sues Michael Mann to keep Heat screenplay rights after director claims 40-year copyright reclamation.
- Title: New Regency Sues Michael Mann Over Heat Rights | Shortify
- Summary: New Regency sues Michael Mann to keep Heat screenplay rights after director claims 40-year copyright reclamation.
- Keywords: new regency, michael mann, heat, screenplay rights, copyright termination, film sequel, The Hollywood Reporter
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/new-regency-sues-michael-mann-retain-rights-heat-1236755347
- Author: Winston Cho
- Published: 2026-11-14T01:35:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new regency, michael mann, heat, screenplay rights, copyright termination, film sequel
## New Regency sues Michael Mann
New Regency filed a lawsuit in California federal court to reassert ownership of Heat screenplay rights.

> The Screenplay is not subject to termination
## Mann claims copyright reclamation
Michael Mann asserts statutory rights to reclaim Heat screenplay after 40 years of ownership.

> After 40 years, Michael Mann is exercising the right of authors to reclaim their work
## Heat 2 preparation underway
Mann prepares to film Heat 2 with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer starting January 19.

> Heat 2 will begin shooting on Jan. 19
## Copyright termination dispute
New Regency argues Mann’s screenplay was written as a work made for hire, not independent authorship.

> The director penned the screenplay as a work made for hire
## Mann’s termination notices
Mann served three notices to New Regency seeking to terminate copyright grants for Heat.

> The first notice sought to terminate all copyright grants for Heat
## Rights impact on Heat 2
Heat 2 licensing with Amazon depends on copyright dispute outcome.

> Certain provisions of the agreements that Mann and Regency each entered into with Amazon with respect to Heat 2 depend on the outcome of this litigation
## Key takeaway

New Regency filed a lawsuit to retain Heat screenplay rights as Michael Mann claims statutory copyright reclamation after 40 years.