Kung Fu Panda Lawsuit Moves Forward

A writer who is suing bosses at DreamWorks Animation for allegedly stealing his idea for hit film Kung Fu Panda has been granted permission to delve into the company's private financial records.

The 2008 movie, which features the voices of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie, was a box office smash, grossing $600 million (£400 million) worldwide.

Terence Dunn filed a lawsuit against the firm in June (10), claiming DreamWorks Animation bosses used a story he pitched to them back in 2001, about a "spiritual kung fu fighting panda bear", as the basis for the popular picture.

Film company bosses hit back and filed a motion in a bid to stop Dunn accessing their records to assess a potential damages claim, but the request was rejected by a judge last Thursday (02Dec10).

The move means Dunn and his legal team will be able to gather internal documents about box office, Dvd and merchandise revenues to help support Dunn's claim that the studio made millions from his idea, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

A trial is scheduled for next year (11).