South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are mulling over a lawsuit against Paramount and Skydance as they dispute over a new deal for the series amid the merger deal between the two major companies.
One of the biggest questions as the Paramount-Skydance merger is approaching the future of South Park and how the corporate changes will affect its business deal and future creative endeavors, as they are close to its 30th anniversary.
Why Are the South Park Creators Mulling a Lawsuit Against Paramount and Skydance?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Parker and Stone are considering a lawsuit against Paramount Global and Skydance.
This stems from the dispute related to a new deal that they are negotiating: a 10-year, $3 billion overall deal for Parker and Stone that would be more than triple the valuation of the current deal that is expiring in 2027.
However, Skydance, which maintains that they have approval rights on the contracts as it is pursuing regulatory approval on the Paramount merger, refuses to extend beyond five additional years.
"There is no resolution at this time, but all involved recognize the need for a quick, positive resolution," a spokesperson for Parker and Stone's company, Park County, said in a statement.
Parker and Stone have also hired Bryan Freedman to serve as their lawyer for the contract negotiation as the situation heats up. Freedman has a reputation for "aggressive legal maneuvering."
Is South Park Season 27 Still Premiering This Month?
Another big question is whether South Park season 27 will still premiere on Comedy Central this July 23 amid the legal dispute.
The new season was originally slated to premiere earlier this month, but it was delayed to the 23rd.
In a statement at that time, Parker and Stone blamed the Paramount and Skydance merger as the reason why the upcoming season's premiere date was delayed.
"This merger is a s***show and it’s f****** up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes, and we hope the fans get to see them somehow," they wrote on social media.
So far, Comedy Central has not announced another delay for the season 27 premiere of South Park, so fans should not be worried for now about whether it will see the light of day.
What do you think of the show's legal chaos? Let us know in the comments.
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