New Regency Sues Michael Mann Over Heat Screenplay Rights
The production company seeks a ruling that Mann's termination notices are void, saying the 1995 screenplay was a work made for hire.
New Regency filed a lawsuit against Michael Mann on 13 نوفمبر 2026, asking a court to declare that his termination notices reclaiming the copyright to the screenplay of the 1995 film Heat are void, according to Variety.
The company argues that the screenplay was a work made for hire and therefore cannot be terminated. It is seeking a declaration that the notices sent by Mann's lawyers are invalid.
Mann's representatives said he will vigorously defend the action. A spokesperson for the filmmaker said the filing concerns original and personal writing Mann did on multiple screenplays in the 1980s that evolved into Heat.
Heat was released in 1995 and was produced by New Regency. Earlier this year, Mann's lawyers sent termination notices invoking the right to reclaim the copyright, followed by two subsequent notices.
According to the lawsuit, Warner Bros. acquired the rights to the Heat screenplay in 1994 in a deal with Mann's loan-out company. Mann is set to begin shooting Heat 2, which Amazon MGM Studios has acquired; Warner Bros. had been set to produce the sequel but backed out last year. Both Mann and New Regency have done deals with Amazon accounting for the copyright dispute.
Quick answers
Why is New Regency suing Michael Mann?
New Regency is seeking a declaration that Mann's termination notices reclaiming the copyright to the Heat screenplay are void, arguing the screenplay was a work made for hire.
Who owns the rights to the Heat screenplay?
According to the lawsuit, Warner Bros. acquired the rights to the Heat screenplay in 1994 in a deal with Mann's loan-out company. New Regency contends the copyright cannot be terminated.