In an unexpected twist of events, the box office success of “Sound of Freedom” has ignited a frenzy around the potential for a sequel. However, the question of who possesses the rights to spearhead a new installment is shrouded in complexity and conflicting claims.
Producer Mike Ilitch Jr., who co-financed and executive produced notable films like “The Lost City of Z” and “LBJ,” initially appeared to hold the exclusive life rights of Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist at the heart of the breakout film. Their collaboration was set to extend beyond a sequel, encompassing scripted and docuseries, leveraging nonprofit organizations, and delving into the stories of inspiration behind Ballard’s missions to rescue children from sexual exploitation. Yet, Ilitch Jr.’s representative later made a surprising U-turn, refuting the accuracy of the information without providing clarity.
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Adding to the intrigue, director Alejandro Monteverde claimed to have secured Ballard’s life rights while researching the original film’s script back in 2015. Monteverde acknowledged discussions about a sequel, hinting at a shift from Colombia to Haiti as the backdrop. However, his spokesperson later clarified that Monteverde’s rights were confined to a single movie, leaving the possibility of a sequel in a grey area.
The allure of a sequel is undeniable, considering “Sound of Freedom” has amassed an impressive $178 million at the box office. Its earnings surpass those of major tentpole films like “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” despite having a modest budget of $14.5 million.
While distributor Angel Studios presumably owns the rights to the film’s title and could explore spinoffs with different protagonists, Ballard’s personal connection as a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent is integral to the story’s continuation. This predicament reflects a unique and intricate situation in the realm of intellectual property rights.
Legal experts likened the scenario to disputes over ownership of original content. Lisa Callif of Donaldson Callif Perez highlighted that a big studio would typically secure all rights, preventing an agreement with external parties. Leslie Steinau at Wilk Auslander drew parallels to the Trump-Woodward conflict over audiobook rights, emphasizing the unsettled nature of copyright laws surrounding initial material ownership.
In the end, the tangled web of claims and rights might lead to a reunion of the original team. While the producing team, talent, and distribution deals appear to be in the works, their finalization remains a mystery, leaving fans eager to discover the fate of “Sound of Freedom’s” sequel in the hands of the intricately woven legal landscape.