The project adapting a famous novel has entered the legal arena as the director, Mikhail Lokshin, filed a lawsuit against American producers working with Luminosity Pictures over rights and distribution for the film. The action centers on questions about who holds the rights and how the adaptation may be presented in the United States, with the dispute influencing the path to a broader release strategy.
The US distributor had plans to bring the picture to audiences in the United States, but Svetlana Migunov-Dali and Grace Lo initiated leasing actions that complicated access to the project and clouded licensing terms that could affect the rollout across territories.
The lawsuit asserts that Migunov-Dali and Grace Lo intend to produce their own English-language version of the story, yet they cannot demonstrate that they hold valid rights to the source material, raising questions about who is authorized to move forward with an English adaptation.
The case notes that the original creator of the tale stands as a foundational figure in the history of the work, and Lokshin argues that neither the creator nor any current party can just halt the release of the film, asserting a public interest in bringing the project to audiences where it is ready for cinema screens.
The director expects the court proceedings to unfold over the coming weeks, while Migunov-Dali and Lo contend that the case should be dismissed as unfounded, arguing that the legal action lacks merit and could derail a planned production timeline.
The film is slated to screen in cinemas in Italy, Germany and Austria in the near future, with distributors hopeful that the project will reach international audiences despite the ongoing dispute.
Actress Julia Snigir recalled the Master and Margarita production process, describing the experience alongside Evgeny Tsyganov as intense and demanding, reflecting the high level of commitment involved in the project.
Earlier, singer Sergei Zhukov sought changes to a line in a song connected to the project, illustrating the broader creative negotiations that often accompany major adaptations and licensing discussions.