Rockstar Sue BBC Over Controversial GTA Film
'Game Changer' depicts the past confrontation between Rockstar and US lawyer Jack Thompson.
Releasing later this year, BBC film 'Game Changer' is a dramatisation of the many, many years US attorney Jack Thompson waged war with both Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto over the controversial content of their games. However, rather than use archive footage or anything from behind closed doors, it's - rather surprisingly - going to star Daniel Radcliffe as Rockstar President Sam Houser, and Bill Paxton as Thompson. Becoming the go-to guy for anything incendiary to say about the 'horrors of GTA', from 2003 onwards Thompson lobbied to get Rockstar's games banned, as well as appearing on national television alongside medium spokespeople like Adam Sessler to debate the notion of violence in video games in general - only to routinely get shut down. It seems the BBC are aiming to depict this story in the most enjoyably heated way possible, yet Rockstar aren't happy. The full statement shown on IGN reads as follows:
"Take-Two Interactive has filed suit against the BBC for trademark infringement based on their movie currently titled Game Changer as it relates to Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto video game series.While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project. Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC's pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games. We have attempted multiple times to resolve this matter with the BBC without any meaningful resolution. It is our obligation to protect our intellectual property and unfortunately in this case litigation was necessary."Basically, it seems they'd simply rather not have their name anywhere near a documentary depicting some of the most controversial points in their career - but as for how it'll all play out on screen, you'll have to wait and see. Game Changer is supposedly releasing later this year, barring any more complications - but let us know what you think in the comments!