Fox countersuing Genting over Malaysian theme park fiasco
20th Century Fox has launched a counterclaim case against Genting over the failed Fox World theme park just outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Originally scheduled to open in 2016, the park’s development was expected to cost US$300m (€264.4m, £229m) and feature Fox IPs such as Planet of the Apes, Independence Day, Ice Age, Alien and Predator, which would be used in the park to be located at Resorts World Genting Casino Resort near the Malaysian capital.
That original opening was then pushed back to a Q3 2018 soft launch, which also never went ahead.
The subsequent legal dispute centres on a 2013 licencing agreement that handed Genting the rights to the abovementioned IPs.
Genting launched a claim against Fox and Disney – another interested party – late last year that said the former, along with latter's help, had breached the original 2013 contract to license the IPs.
Genting went on to say in the suit that Fox issued a notice of default with the hope of terminating the agreement, which it said was "entirely consistent with Disney wanting to kill the deal" to benefit itself.
"Given that Fox had no right to terminate the agreement, Fox and Disney are liable for what will exceed a billion dollars in damages attributable to the bad-faith behaviour of both Fox and Disney," said Genting’s complaint.
After Genting’s original filing against the media giant, a spokesperson for Fox called the suit "entirely without merit" and now Fox is launching the countersue claim arguing that it had, in fact, been Genting’s fault that the park’s development failed.
"Genting’s failure to 'soft open' the park by June 2018 gave Fox the right to terminate the agreement without regard to whether Genting was at fault," says Fox’s 35-page suit.
"The fault for these failures lies with Genting and Genting alone. Genting’s failure to adhere to its obligations and deliver on the agreed-upon schedule resulted from a mixture of Genting’s incompetence, inexperience and rank indifference to its contractual obligations."
Fox is seeking monetary damages including at least US$9m (€7.9m, £6.9m) in license fees, US$37m (€32.6m, £28.3m) in guarantee amounts/royalties and US$196m (€172.7m, £149.7m) in travel reimbursements – "entitled to under the terms of the original Memorandum of Agreement, plus interest, as well as consequential damages."
Meanwhile, Genting said – at the time of its filing – that it had invested more than US$750m (€662m, £587.8m) in the project.
Plans for the 101,000sq m (1,087,155sq ft) park in Malaysia had included 25 movie-inspired thrill rides, dark rides, children’s rides, a water ride, shops and themed outlets.
Further Fox theme parks were also mooted for both South Korea and Dubai, with talks also held to develop a park in China.
20th Century Fox Genting Fox World Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Disney
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
