The Battle for “ER” Continues: Crichton’s Estate Sues Warner Bros. Television
LOS ANGELES – The estate of the legendary author Michael Crichton, best known for works like “Jurassic Park” and “Westworld,” is embroiled in a legal battle with Warner Bros. Television over the development of a new medical drama series.
After failed negotiations for a reboot of the iconic medical procedural “ER,” which Crichton wrote the screenplay for, the lawsuit alleges that Warner Bros. went ahead with the production of a new series called “The Pitt” without the estate’s consent.
The upcoming series, set in Pittsburgh and featuring Noah Wyle, an “ER” alum, in a starring role, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the original show. The estate claims that Warner Bros. violated a “frozen rights” provision in Crichton’s contract that prohibits the studio from producing any derivatives of “ER” without consent.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks an injunction to stop production on “The Pitt” and demands punitive and compensatory damages from Warner Bros.
According to a spokesperson for Sherri Crichton, the widow of Michael Crichton, the lawsuit aims to protect Crichton’s legacy and ensure that contracts are enforced in the entertainment industry.
Warner Bros. allegedly began developing the new series without Sherri Crichton’s knowledge in 2020 and proceeded with production even after negotiations were halted in 2022. The estate claims that Warner Bros. has a history of downgrading Crichton’s credits in derivative works, starting a “disturbing pattern.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of “The Pitt” hangs in the balance. Warner Bros. Television has yet to issue a statement regarding the lawsuit, leaving fans of “ER” and followers of Crichton’s work eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the battle over “ER” continues to unfold in Hollywood.
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