Town of Batman Sues Batman Team

Batman ponders his legal options.

High-grossing movies often get sued, most often because people who are expecting a share of the profits suspect that the studio is hiding money, or because someone thinks the filmmakers stole his/her idea. The lawsuit reported in Variety, though, is really original–the mayor of a town in southeast Turkey is suing Warner Brothers and Christopher Nolan for using the name of their town–Batman–without permission. Unsurprisingly, the mayor wants royalties from the film.

According to the mayor, this unauthorized use of the name Batman is to blame for:

• a number of unsolved murders;
• a high female suicide rate;
• obstacles to natives trying to register overseas businesses.

Obviously the town was not troubled by the Batman name and character before; it’s only since this movie made a billion dollars that it caused distress. Hmmm.

Warner Brothers said it is not aware of the suit and the studio hasn’t received any paperwork regarding the matter. Obviously they’re just scared and, perhaps, confused.  

Well, here’s to you, Huseyin Kalkan, mayor of Batman. I am impressed by the originality and deep thinking that went into your moneymaking scheme lawsuit. You are awesome and inspiring, or, as the kids like to say, awe-inspiring.